tioioof 

UBRARY 


THE  LIBRARY 

OF 

THE  UNIVERSITY 
OF  CALIFORNIA 

Biology  Library 

BEQUEST  OF 

Theodore  S«  Palmer 


J — \ 


OHIO  STATE 
ACADEMY  OF  SCIE.NCE, 

Special  Papers  No.  6 


The  Birds  of  Ohio 


A  REVISED  CATALOGUE, 


BY 


LYNDS  JONES,  M.  Sc 


Published  by  the  Academy  of  Science  with  th< 
Emerson  McMillin  Research  Fund 


OCTOBER,    1903 


OHIO  STATE  ACADEMY  OF  SCIENCE 

Special  Papers  No.  6 


THE  BIRDS  OF  OHIO 

A  REVISED  CATALOGUE 
BY 

L  YNDS   JONES,   M.  Sc, 

OBERLIN  COLLEGE 


PUBLISHED  BY  THE  ACADEMY  OF  SCIENCE  WITH  THE 
EMERSON  MCMILLIN  RESEARCH  FUND 


Publication  Committee  : 
J.  H.  SCHAFFNER,      L.  H.  McFADDEN,      GERARD  FOWKE 


OCTOBER  15,  1903 


SIOLOGZ  LJBB. 


NOTE. 

The  study  upon  which  this  paper  is  based  was  carried  on 
under  two  grants  of  thirty-five  and  seventy-five  dollars 
each  from  the  Emerson  McMillin  Research  Fund,  and  the 
expense  of  publication  is  met  by  the  further  aid  of  the 

same  fund. 

WILLIAM  R.  LAZENBY. 

F.  M.  WEBSTER, 
JOHN  H.  SCHAFFNER, 

Trustees. 


PREFACE. 

Dr.  J.  M.  Wheaton  transmitted  his  monumental  "Report 
on  the  Birds  of  Ohio"  to  Prof.  J.  S.  Newberry,  Chief  Geol- 
ogist of  Ohio,  on  November  1,  1879.  It  was  finally  printed 
by  the  state  and  distributed  in  1882.  One  year  later,  at  the 
first  Congress  of  American  Ornithologists'  Union,  held  in 
New  York,  September  26-29,  1883,  a  committee  was  ap- 
pointed to  whom  was  referred  the  question  of  revising  the 
classification  and  nomenclature  of  the  Birds  of  North  Amer- 
ica. That  committee's  work  was  completed,  accepted,  and 
the  results  printed  in  a  Check-List*  early  in  1886.  Until 
the  publication  of  this  Check-List  there  had  been  no  uni- 
formity in  the  nomenclature  of  birds,'  each  author  practically 
building  his  own  system.  Dr.  Wheaton  adopted,  in  a  some- 
what modified  form,  "The  nomenclature of  Dr. 

(Elliot  E.)  Coues  in  his  Check-List  of  North  American 
Birds,"  published  in  1874.  That  system  followed  the  cus- 
toms of  the  time  by  beginning  with  the  highest  and  ending 
with  the  lowest  forms.  The  nomenclature  adopted  by  the 
committee  of  the  American  Ornithologists'  Union*  turned 
the  old  system  about,  beginning  with  the  lowest  and  ending 
with  the  highest  forms,  as  they  were  then  regarded.  Seven 
years  after  the  completion  of  his  work  and  four  years  after 
its  publication,  therefore,  the  nomenclature  of  Dr.  Wheaton 
became  obsolete,  for  the  new  nomenclature  found  immediate 
acceptance  the  country  over,  and  has  since  been  the  working 
basis  of  all  American  Ornithologists. 

The  need  of  a  Revised  Catalogue  of  the  Birds  of  Ohio 
has  been  sorely  felt,  chiefly  that  the  nomenclature  might  be 
uniform  with  that  of  all  more  recent  publications  on  Orni- 
thology. The  score  of  years  which  have  elapsed  since  Dr. 
Wheaton's  Catalogue  was  issued  have  seen  other  changes 

*The  A.  O.  U.  Check-List  of  North  American  Birds,  for  sale 
by  L.  S.  Foster,  30  Pine  street,  New  York  City. 

538 


2  PREFACE. 

as  well  as  those  of  nomenclature,  making  the  call  for  a  re- 
vision all  the  more  imperative.-  The  changes  in  the  physical 
features  incident  to  the  fuller  settlement  of  the  state  have 
been  attended  by  changes  in  the  whole  fauna,  the  bird  pop- 
ulation changing  with  the  rest. 

Keenly  feeling  the  need  for  a  state  catalogue  of  our  birds 
which  should  embody  the  latest  results  of  field  work  and 
conform  to  the  adopted  system  of  nomenclature,  the  writer 
appealed  to  the  Ohio  State  Academy  of  Science,  at  its  meet- 
ing in  December,  1900,  and  found  ready  sympathy  in  the 
plan  for  a  revision.  A  liberal  portion  of  the  McMillin  fund 
was  placed  at  his  disposal  for  the  purpose  of  prosecuting 
the  work,  and  it  is  largely  that  substantial  help  which  makes 
it  possible  to  present  the  finished  report  at  this  early  date. 
With  this  fund  it  was  possible  to  mail  upward  of  two  hun- 
dred lists  of  birds  of  probable  occurrence  to  different  parts  of 
the  state  for  reports  from  local  bird  students,  and  to  visit 
several  little  known  regions  of  the  state  for  the  purpose  of 
studying  the  bird  fauna  there  at  first  hand.  A  list  of  those 
who  kindly  contributed  notes  and  who  gave  other  assistance 
will  be  found  elsewhere. 

The  nomenclature  adopted  in  this  Catalogue  conforms  to 
that  of  the  American  Ornithologists'  Union  Check-List,  Sec- 
ond Edition  and  Supplements  succeeding.  While  this  sys- 
tem is  not  free  from  faults,  and  while  another  revision  seems 
imminent,  it  is  not  within  the  province  of  this  catalogue  to 
anticipate  much  of  such  revision.  Some  questions  relating 
to  the  validity  of  species  and  subspecies  which  occur  in  Ohio 
await  settlement.  In  these  few  cases  I  have  been  obliged  to 
use  my  best  judgment  respecting  the  questions  at  issue.  If 
that  judgment  proves  unsound  I  trust  that  the  reader  will 
consider  the  limitations  of  time  and  material  under  which  I 
am  obliged  to  complete  this  work. 


RELATIVE    ABUNDANCE.  5 

patient  search.     Additions  to  this  list  would  be  gladly  re- 
ceived. 

RELATIVE  ABUNDANCE. 

In  speaking  of  the  relative  abundance  in  Ohio  of  the  sev- 
eral species  of  this  catalaogue  I  have  made  Use  of  the  more 
than  threescore  reports  contributed  by  bird  students  scat- 
tered over  most  of  the  state.  None  of  these  reports  give 
evidence  of  any  more  system  in  determining  the  relative 
abundance  than  Dr.  Wheaton's  and  his  colaborers'  work 
shows,  hence  the  comparisons  drawn  will  seem  fair.  It  is 
to  be  hoped  that  some  system  for  the  determination  of  the 
relative  abundance  of  birds  may  soon  be  brought  forward ; 
until  that  is  done  we  cannot  hope  for  accurate  results  in  this 
field  of  knowledge.  Dr.  Wheaton's  observations  and  those 
of  the  persons  on  whom  he  relied  for  information  covered 
only  a  small  fraction  of  the  state,  to  be  sure,  but  the  regions 
covered  may  be  assumed  to  have  been  representative  of  most 
of  the  state  at  least.  It  will  appear  in  the  discussion  of  this 
interesting  subject  that  the  author  has  often  quoted  him- 
self without  the  mention  of  others.  Where  that  is  the  case 
the  reports  received  from  observers  have  been  too  conflict- 
ing to  be  of  use,  and  he  has  been  driven  from  the  unknown 
to  the  known.  The  necessary  differences  prevailing  among 
bird  students  as  regards  the  time  spent  in  study,  the  time 
of  day  when  the  observations  are  made  and  the  topography 
covered,  furnish  no  means  of  comparison  unless  these  ele- 
ments are  known.  Field  work  done  at  noon  only  will  fail 
to  discover  such  birds  as  are  quiet  during  that  time.  Field 
work  which  does  not  cover  certain  regions  will  result  in 
omitting  such  species  as  resort  only  to  such  regions.  Unfa- 
miliarity  with  notes  and  songs  wrill  often  result  in  the  failure 
to  discover  certain  secretive  species,  or  will  fail  to  notice 
more  than  a  few  where  there  may  be  great  numbers.  Thus 
it  is  that  only  where  pretty  general  agreement  obtains,  or 
where  there  is  an  evident  gradation  from  one  region  to  an- 
other at  some  distance,  that  these  reports  can  be  wholly  re- 
lied upon.  This  does  not  mean  that  the  accuracy  of  any  ob- 


2  PREFACE. 

as  well  as  those  of  nomenclature,  making  the  call  for  a  re- 
vision all  the  more  imperative!-  The  changes  in  the  physical 
features  incident  to  the  fuller  settlement  of  the  state  have 
been  attended  by  changes  in  the  whole  fauna,  the  bird  pop- 
ulation changing  with  the  rest. 

Keenly  feeling  the  need  for  a  state  catalogue  of  our  birds 
which  should  embody  the  latest  results  of  field  work  and 
conform  to  the  adopted  system  of  nomenclature,  the  writer 
appealed  to  the  Ohio  State  Academy  of  Science,  at  its  meet- 
ing in  December,  1900,  and  found  ready  sympathy  in  the 
plan  for  a  revision.  A  liberal  portion  of  the  McMillin  fund 
was  placed  at  his  disposal  for  the  purpose  of  prosecuting 
the  work,  and  it  is  largely  that  substantial  help  which  makes 
it  possible  to  present  the  finished  report  at  this  early  date. 
With  this  fund  it  was  possible  to  mail  upward  of  two  hun- 
dred lists  of  birds  of  probable  occurrence  to  different  parts  of 
the  state  for  reports  from  local  bird  students,  and  to  visit 
several  little  known  regions  of  the  state  for  the  purpose  of 
studying  the  bird  fauna  there  at  first  hand.  A  list  of  those 
who  kindly  contributed  notes  and  who  gave  other  assistance 
will  be  found  elsewhere. 

The  nomenclature  adopted  in  this  Catalogue  conforms  to 
that  of  the  American  Ornithologists'  Union  Check-List,  Sec- 
ond Edition  and  Supplements  succeeding.  While  this  sys- 
tem is  not  free  from  faults,  and  while  another  revision  seems 
imminent,  it  is  not  within  the  province  of  this  catalogue  to 
anticipate  much  of  such  revision.  Some  questions  relating 
to  the  validity  of  species  and  subspecies  which  occur  in  Ohio 
await  settlement.  In  these  few  cases  I  have  been  obliged  to 
use  my  best  judgment  respecting  the  questions  at  issue.  If 
that  judgment  proves  unsound  I  trust  that  the  reader  will 
consider  the  limitations  of  time  and  material  under  which  I 
am  obliged  to  complete  this  work. 


RELATIVE    ABUNDANCE.  5 

patient  search.     Additions  to  this  list  would  be  gladly  re- 
ceived. 

RELATIVE  ABUNDANCE. 

In  speaking  of  the  relative  abundance  in  Ohio  of  the  sev- 
eral species  of  this  catalaogue  I  have  made  Use  of  the  more 
than  threescore  reports  contributed  by  bird  students  scat- 
tered over  most  of  the  state.  None  of  these  reports  give 
evidence  of  any  more  system  in  determining  the  relative 
abundance  than  Dr.  Wheaton's  and  his  colaborers'  work 
shows,  hence  the  comparisons  drawn  will  seem  fair.  It  is 
to  be  hoped  that  some  system  for  the  determination  of  the 
relative  abundance  of  birds  may  soon  be  brought  forward; 
until  that  is  done  we  cannot  hope  for  accurate  results  in  this 
field  of  knowledge.  Dr.  Wheaton's  observations  and  those 
of  the  persons  on  whom  he  relied  for  information  covered 
only  a  small  fraction  of  the  state,  to  be  sure,  but  the  regions 
covered  may  be  assumed  to  have  been  representative  of  most 
of  the  state  at  least.  It  will  appear  in  the  discussion  of  this 
interesting  subject  that  the  author  has  often  quoted  him- 
self without  the  mention  of  others.  Where  that  is  the  case 
the  reports  received  from  observers  have  been  too  conflict- 
ing to  be  of  use,  and  he  has  been  driven  from  the  unknown 
to  the  known.  The  necessary  differences  prevailing  among 
bird  students  as  regards  the  time  spent  in  study,  the  time 
of  day  when  the  observations  are  made  and  the  topography 
covered,  furnish  no  means  of  comparison  unless  these  ele- 
ments are  known.  Field  work  done  at  noon  only  will  fail 
to  discover  such  birds  as  are  quiet  during  that  time.  Field 
work  which  does  not  cover  certain  regions  will  result  in 
omitting  such  species  as  resort  only  to  such  regions.  Unfa- 
miliarity  with  notes  and  songs  will  often  result  in  the  failure 
to  discover  certain  secretive  species,  or  will  fail  to  notice 
more  than  a  few  where  there  may  be  great  numbers.  Thus 
it  is  that  only  where  pretty  general  agreement  obtains,  or 
where  there  is  an  evident  gradation  from  one  region  to  an- 
other at  some  distance,  that  these  reports  can  be  wholly  re- 
lied upon.  This  does  not  mean  that  the  accuracy  of  any  ob- 


6  BIRDS    OF    OHIO. 

server  is  questioned,  but  it  only  indicates  my  own  ignorance 
of  the  conditions  under  which  he  worked. 

DEFINITION  OF  TERMS  USED  TO  INDICATE  RELATIVE 
ABUNDANCE. 

Lack  of  any  system  for  indicating  what  is  meant  by  the 
terms  "Abundant/'  "Common,"  "Tolerably  Common," 
"Rare,"  and  "Casual,"  makes  it  necessary  for  each  person 
using  them  to  define  his  own  system.  The  terms  "Acci- 
dental," "Hypothetical,"  and  "Introduced,"  are  defined 
where  they  are  used,  after  the  treatment  of  the  species  in  the 
body  of  the  catalogue. 

In  a  general  way,  the  term  "Abundant"  signifies  that  the 
species  to  which  it  is  applied  are  so  numerous  in  individ- 
uals as  to  force  themselves  upon  one's  notice.  The  English 
Sparrow  is  the  only  bird  to  which  this  term  can  be  applied 
the  year  through.  A  number  of  species  may  be  abundant  at 
certain  times,  as  the  Robin,  Vesper  Sparrow,  Meadowlark, 
Wood  Pewee,  and  Bronzed  Crackle.  These  and  others  may 
be  abundant  in  certain  regions  and  not  in  others ;  or  in  cer- 
tain restricted  localities  and  either  less  numerous  or  even 
almost  wholly  absent  from  other  localities  near. 

A  species  is  regarded  as  "Common"  when  a  considerable 
number  of  individuals  may  be  found  without  much  effort 
or  much  expenditure  of  time.  In  the  use  of  this  term  ac- 
count must  always  be  taken  of  the  habits  of  the  species  to 
which  it  is  applied.  Thus,  the  Oven-bird  may  properly  be 
entered  as  common  in  a  region  if  it  be  remembered  that  it  is 
strictly  a  woods  bird.  "Common  in  woods"  would  be  the 
accurate  designation. 

"Tolerably  Common"  is  used  to  indicate  the  fact  that  the 
individuals  of  the  species  designated  are  so  few  that  they 
must  be  searched  for  under  normal  conditions,  and  yet  pres- 
ent in  the  region.  The  Blue-gray  Gnatcatcher  is  a  fair  ex- 
ample in  all  parts  of  the  state  which  I  have  visited. 

"Rare"  is  the  term  reserved  for  a  species  which  is  repre- 
sented by  so  few  individuals  that  a  record  of  its  occurrence 
is  regarded  as  unusual.  In  Lorain  county  the  Golden  Eagle 


BREEDING.  ;7 

is  rare,  because  one  or  two  records  of  its  appearance  in  a 
year  is  all  my  books  show. 

"Casual,"  as  used  in  this  catalogue,  means  that  the  species 
to  which  it  is  applied  visits  the  state  only  under  unusual 
circumstances.  Thus,  the  Great  Qray  Owl  could  not  be  ex- 
pected to  reach  Ohio  except  during  an  unusually  severe  win- 
ter when  its  food  supply  north  failed.  Casual  stands  close 
to  accidental.  A  Red-tailed  Hawk  would  be  casual  in  a 
small  city 'park,  because  that  park  lies  within  its  range  in 
the  surrounding  region.  A  Bullock  Oriole  would  be  acci- 
dental there  because  its  home  is  in  regions  far  removed. 

In  the  use  of  any  of  these  terms  except  "Casual,"  account 
must  be  taken  of  the  habits  of  the  birds.  The  Red-winged 
Blackbird  may  be  abundant  in  the  marshes  of  any  county, 
but  practically  absent  from  the  rest  of  that  county.  In  the 
body  of  the  work  I  have  endeavored  to  indicate  what  are 
the  regions  preferred  by  the  different  species.  Account 
must  also  be  taken  of  the  size  of  the  birds  to  which  the 
terms  are  applied  in  each  instance.  Thus  a  dozen  Red- 
tailed  Hawks  in  a  township  would  make  that  hawk  appear 
almost  abundant,  while  a  dozen  Chipping  Sparrows  or 
Robins  in  that  same  township  would  be  almost  rare  for  the 
species. 

Some  prophet  must  arise  who  will  be  able  to  develop  a 
system  of  relative  terms  for  general  use.  Such  a  system 
is  greatly  needed  in  the  further  development  of  the  depart- 
ment of  field  ornithology. 

BREEDING. 

Not  the  least  difficult  of  the  problems  presenting  them- 
selves for  solution  has  been  that  relating  to  the  breeding  of 
many  species  within  the  state.  So  little  was  known  of  the 
general  breeding  range  of  many  species  when  Dr.  Wheaton 
completed  his  work,  that  it  is  not  strange  that  he  should 
have  regarded  as  "probably  breeding  in  the  northern  parts 
of  the  state"  several  species  whose  breeding  range  lies  well 
to  the  north.  It  is  also  more  than  probable  that  several 
species  which  remained  to  breed  before  the  state  became 


8  BIRDS    OF    OHIO. 

so  well  settled,  no  longer  do  so.  Remembering  the  almost 
total  lack  of  information  regarding  the  southward  migra- 
tions of  many  species  at  that  time,  we  can  readily  under- 
stand how  even  such  keen  observers  as  Drs.  Wheaton  and 
Kirtland  should  have  been  led  to  regard  as  breeding  within 
the  state  some  species  which  were  found  in  late  July.  Now 
we  know  that  they  are  the  vanguard  of  the  southward  mov- 
ing host.  We  also  know  that  the  presence  of  individuals  of  a 
species  in  summer  is  not  prima  facie  evidence  of  its  breeding, 
because  many  unmated  birds  wander  about  considerably,  and 
wounded  water-birds  may  be  unable  to  complete  their  jour- 
ney and  yet  be  unable  to  breed  where  they  are  obliged  to 
remain.  Nor  does  the  author  regard  the  presence  of  young 
which  the  parent  or  parents  are  still  feeding  positive  evi- 
dence of  breeding,  if  the  occurrence  lies  close  to  the  state 
border,  because  it  is  well  known  that  many  young-  birds 
which  are  still  largely  dependent  upon  their  parents  for 
food  are  able  to  fly  considerable  distances.  Such  evidence, 
however,  would  be  strongly  probable  of  breeding.  It 
should  not  be  necessary  to  actually  find  a  nest  with  either 
eggs  or  young  to  establish  a  breeding  record.  The  contin- 
uous presence  of  an  evident  pair  of  birds  during  the  season 
when  they  would  normally  breed,  in  any  given  restricted 
region,  ought  to  be  taken  as  clear  evidence  of  the  breeding 
of  that  pair.  It  is  frequently  not  possible  to  find  the  nest 
and  examine  its  contents. 

The  presence  in  the  north  of  individuals  of  a  species  whose 
normal  range  lies  well  south  of  such  occurrence  does  not  in- 
dicate that  the  species  breeds  in  that  northern  region.  Dur- 
ing the  migrations  and  after  the  breeding  season  individuals 
may  wander  considerable  distances  from  their  normal  breed- 
ing places.  While  the  conclusions  here  reached  are  by  no 
means  to  be  considered  final,  they  are  at  least  conservative. 
It  may  very  likely  be  that  some  of  the  warblers  supposed 
to  cross  Lake  Erie  to  breed  will  yet  prove  summer  residents 
on  this  side.  In  editing  the  notes  contributed  on  the  breed- 
ing of  our  birds  some  records  have  been  withheld  because 
of  the  lack  of  positive  evidence. 


RANGE  IN  OHIO.  9 

FOOD. 

An  effort  has  been  made  to  indicate  what  constitutes  the 
food  of  the  birds  which  spend  much  time  in  the  state.  In 
many  instances  this  has  been  done  under  the  discussion  of 
the  individual  species,  where  the  species  seems  to  have  a 
strong  influence  upon  agriculture  or  other  economic  inter- 
ests, and  where  the  food  differs  in  some  important  respects 
from  that  of  the  other  members  of  the  group.  When  the 
group  is  not  an  important  factor,  or  the  food  of  the  species 
is  much  the  same  throughout  the  group,  a  discussion  will 
be  found  under  the  heading  of  the  whole  group.  Informa- 
tion upon  the  food  habits  of  the  birds  has  been  gleaned 
from  various  sources,  acknowledgment  of  which  will  be 
found  elsewhere.  An  effort  has  been  made  to  acquaint  the 
reader  with  the  facts  so  far  as  they  are  known,  and  thus  to 
show  what  species  are  injurious  and  what  beneficial  to  our 
interests. 

MIGRATION. 

The  subject  of  the  migrations  of  the  birds,  into  and 
across  Ohio  has  not  received  sufficient  careful  attention  to 
warrant  tabulation  of  the  dates  of  appearance  and  disap- 
pearance of  such  species  as  migrate,  nor  any  plotting  of  the 
routes  of  migrations  most  generally  followed.  It  is  true 
that  several  voluntary  observers  have  worked  faithfully  and 
well  with  the  time  at  their  disposal,  and  the  results  have 
greatly  extended  our  knowledge  of  the  migrations,  but 
their  time  and  means  have  been  too  limited  for-  exact  re- 
sults. They  have  made  possible  general  statements,  how- 
ever, which  will  indicate  the  times  of  appearance  and  dis- 
appearance and  the  general  routes  of  movement  across  the 
state.  These  general  results  are  given  in  this  catalogue. 

RANGE  IN  OHIO. 

The  present  Ohio  range  of  the  different  species  has  been 
largely  taken  from  the  numerous  reports  received,  supple- 
mented by  published  records  and  by  the  writer's  work  at 


10  BIRDS    OF   OHIO. 

Oberlin  and  in  the  several  regions  of  the  state  visited  since 
the  preparation  of  this  catalogue  began,  two  years  ago.  In  ac- 
cepting records  for  the  state  and  also  for  the  different  coun- 
ties the  following  rule  has  been  adopted :  In  order  to  have 
a  place  on  the  state  list  a  specimen  of  the  species  must  have 
been  captured  and  preserved  for  some  time  where  it  could 
be  critically  examined.  In  order  to  have  a  place  on  a  coun- 
ty list  a  species  which  is  rare  or  casual  or  accidental  in  that 
county  must  have  had  a  specimen  captured  and  critically  ex- 
amined, or,  if  a  conspicuously  marked  species,  must  have 
been  seen  under  the  most  favorable  conditions  by  one  famil- 
iar with  that  species.  This  rule  has  necessarily  resulted  in 
the  elimination  of  some  species  from  some  of  the  lists  hand- 
ed me,  and  has  relegated  to  the  state  Hypothetical  List  some 
species  reported  on  insufficient  evidence  as  occurring  in  the 
state.  I  submit,  however,  that  it  is  a  fair  rule,  one  which 
will  safeguard  our  work.  It  is  far  easier  to  add  a  species 
to  such  a  list  than  it  is  to  eliminate  it  after  it  is  wrongly 
placed  there. 

TOPOGRAPHY. 

"The  state  of  Ohio  is  situated  between  38°  25'  and  42° 
north  latitude  and  80°  30'  and  84°  50'  west  longitude. 
....*.  It  is  thus  the  most  southern  of  the  northern  tier  of 
states,  its  northern  border  corresponding  in  latitude  with 
the  southern  border  of  Michigan  and  New  York.  Its  ex- 
treme length  is,  from  east  to  west,  about  220  miles,  its  great- 
est width  from  north  to  south  about  210  miles.  Its  area  is 
approximately  40,000  square  miles  (41,060:  land,  40,760; 
water,  300.)"  (Wheaton.)  About  three-fourths  of  the 
state  is  under  cultivation,  and  of  the  remaining  fourth 
nearly  all  is  woodland.  "Before  cultivation  a  few  small  prai- 
ries in  the  western  and  central  portions  of  the  state  inter- 
rupted the  general  woodland."  The  disappearance  of  the 
forests  has  resulted  in  the  almost  total  extermination  of  a 
few  birds,  a  marked  decrease  in  the  numbers  of  a  large  num- 
ber, and  an  influx  of  a  few  species  which  live  in  the  open 
fields. 


TOPOGRAPHY.  11 

DRAINAGE. 

"Two-thirds  of  the  state  may  be  considered  as  forming  a 
part  of  the  great  Mississippi  Valley,  while  about  the  north- 
ern third  is  in  the  basin  of  the  great  lakes.  The  water-shed 
which  divides  the  streams  flowing  into  Lake  Erie  from 
those  tributary  to  the  Ohio,  traverses  the  state  from  near 
the  north-east  corner  in  a  south-westerly  direction  as  a  low 
ridge  the  greatest  elevation  of  which  is  nowhere  more  than 
1400  feet  above  the  sea.  This  water-shed  is  lower  in  Ohio 
than  in  Pennsylvania  and  New  York."  (Wheaton.) 

ELEVATIONS. 

The  surface  of  Lake  Erie  is  573  feet  above  the  ocean. 
During  low  water  the  Ohio  river  is  about  426  feet  above  the 
ocean  at  the  extreme  south-west  corner  of  the  state,  near 
Gravel  Pit,  rising  to  687  feet  at  Wells ville  in  Columbiana 
county.  The  Ohio  river  at  its  lowest  point  is  thus  147  feet 
below  the  surface  of  lake  Erie.  The  variations  in  the  general 
surface  of  the  state  range  from  those  given  above  to  1540 
feet,  which  elevation  is  reached  in  Logan  county  a  short  dis- 
tance east  of  Bellefontaine,  where  two  hills  rise,  the  one  to 
1500  the  other  to  1540  feet  above  tide.  A  hill  in  Richland 
county  reaches  an  elevation  of  1475  feet.  Nowhere  else  does 
the  state  reach  1400  feet  elevation.  It  will  thus  be  clear  that 
nowhere  does  altitude  play  any  important  part  in  the  distri- 
bution of  the  birds. 

EROSION. 

The  lake  Erie  drainage  plain  is  generally  a  gradual  slope 
northward,  with  gorges  cut  into  the  underlying  shale  and 
rock  by  the  larger  streams,  but  without  hills  of  any  conse- 
quence. The  northern  and  western  parts  of  the  Ohio  river 
drainage  plain  is  also  level,  but  growing  rougher  as  the 
streams  descend  and  enlarge,  reaching  a  maximum  of  rough- 
ness in  the  south-eastern  and  southern  parts  of  the  state. 
The  unglaciated  region  presents  the  greatest  erosion  and 
consequently  the  highest  ridges  and  deepest  valleys.  Here 
the  streams  have  cut  completely  through  the  upper  coal 
strata. 


12  BIRDS  OF  OHIO. 

RIVERS. 

Only  two  of  the  rivers  which  flow  into  Lake  Erie  are  of 
much  importance  topographically — the  Maumee  at  its  west- 
ern end,  and  the  Grand,  near  the  eastern  border  of  the  state. 
Between  these  the  Portage,  Sandusky,  Huron,  Vermilion, 
Black,  Rocky,  and  Cuyahoga  form  greater  or  lesser  valleys, 
and  more  or  less  extensive  swamps  at  their  junction  with 
the  lake.  The  principal  tributaries  of  the  Ohio  are  the  Mus- 
kingum,  Scioto,  and  Miami,  and  their  tributaries,  penetrat- 
ing well  into  the  northern  third  of  the  state.  They  are  im- 
portant highways  for  the  birds  in  their  migrations,  and  sev- 
eral species  belonging  to  the  southern  counties  follow  the 
courses  of  these  rivers  farther  north  than  they  venture 
elsewhere. 

LAKES. 

Natural  lakes  of  any  considerable  extent  are  lacking,  but 
within  the  drift  area  in  the  north-east  numerous  small  glacial 
lakes  are  scattered.  Four  reservoirs  built  by  the  state  to 
supply  the  system  of  canals,  furnish  inland  waters  for  many 
species  as  feeding  and  nesting  places.  St.  Mary's  or  Grand 
reservoir,  situated  in  Mercer  and  Auglaize  counties,  with 
an  area  of  17,000  acres,  is  the  largest ;  the  Lewiston,  in  Lo- 
gan county;  the  Loramie,  in  Shelby;  and  the  Licking,  in 
Licking,  Fairfield,  and  Perry  counties,  are  of  smaller  di- 
mensions. The  marshes  which  have  formed  in  and  around 
these  reservoirs  support  as  abundant  swamp  life  as  the  delta 
marshes  at  the  lake  shore. 

THE  BIRDS  AND  THE  WATER  BODIES. 

On  the  south  the  Ohio  river  exerts  a  marked  influence 
upon  the  bird  fauna  of  that  part  of  the  state.  Being  a  main 
tributary  of  the  great  Mississippi  river,  and  extending  in  a 
somewhat  northerly  direction  from  that  great  thoroughfare 
of  the  birds,  it  receives  its  portion  of  the  northward  moving 
host  each  spring.  The  course  of  the  Ohio  river  is  so  little 
varied  in  character  that  it  is  not  strange  that  some  species 
with  somewhat  southern  tendencies  should  wander  along 


TOPOGRAPHY.  13 

its  course  and  unwittingly  reach  a  higher  latitude  than  else- 
where. The  river  itself  has,  for  the  most  part,  little  of  the 
character  which  entices  swamp  breeders  to  its  shores.  While 
water  birds  follow  its  course  they  do  not  tarry  to  breed 
there,  but  pass  northward. 

On  the  north  Lake  Erie  is  a  factor  to  be  reckoned  with.  It 
acts  as  a  balance  between  the  extremes  of  cold  in  winter  and 
heat  in  summer,  thus  maintaining-  a  more  even  temperature 
at  any  time  of  year,  preventing  the  sudden  changes  which 
are  so  dangerous  to  both  plant  and  animal  life.  Its  chilling 
spring  influence  holds  vegetation  back  until  time  for  it  to 
come  forth,  and  by  its  warm  breath  in  fall  it  wards  off  early 
frosts.  Recognizing  this  influence  upon  vegetation,  we  are 
prepared  for  the  appearance  of  some  of  the  more  southern 
breeding  birds  along  the  shore  of  the  lake,  and  for  the  pres- 
ence all  winter  of  some  of  the  northern  specie^  which  ordi- 
narily winter  much  fartner  south. 

It  has  already  been  stated  that  marshes  scattered  sparing- 
ly along  the  lake  front,  usually  where  streams  enter  the  lake, 
afford  breeding  places  for  many  species.  The  archipelago 
lying  north  of  Sandusky  also  affords  suitable  summer  homes 
for  many  species  not  found  breeding  elsewhere  in  the  state. 
Wherever  clay  banks  front  the  water  Bank  Swallows  and 
Belted  Kingfishers  nest  in  numbers. 

CLIMATE. 

For  a  detailed  discussion  of  the  climatic  conditions  of 
Ohio  the  reader  is  referred  to  a  paper  on  "Some  Climatic 
Conditions  of  Ohio,"  by  Mr.  Otto  E.  Jennings,  in  the  Ohio 
Naturalist  for  January,  1903.  It  is  sufficient  to  say  here 
that  the  mean  range  of  temperature,  which  is  49°  F.  in  the 
north  and  55°  F.  in  the  south,  and  the  much  greater  depth 
of  snowfall  in  the  extreme  north-eastern  corner  of  the  state, 
are  the  principal  factors  which  exert  any  marked  influence 
upon  bird  life.  A  number  of  species  are  not  only  more  com- 
mon in  the  warmer  southern  counties,  but  several  never 
reach  even  the  middle  of  the  state.  Greater  snowfall  means 
covered  food  in  winter,  and  consequently  fewer  birds  during 


14  BIRDS    OF    OHIO. 

the  period  of  snow.  The  rapacious  birds,  especially,  go 
where  food  is  more  easily  obtainable  during  the  winter 
months. 

FAUNAL  AREAS. 

"By  far  the  largest  part  of  the  State  is  strictly  Carolinian 
in  its  faunal  characters ;  a  small  portion,  the  north-eastern 
corner,  is  as  emphatically  Alleghenian."  (Wheaton.)  Dr. 
C.  Hart  Merriam,  in  "Life  Zones  and  Crop  Zones,  of  the 
United  States,"  1898,  shows  clearly  the  extent  of  this  arm 
of  the  Alleghenian  fauna,  so  far  as  plant  life  is  affected.  I 
have  attempted  to  indicate  this  area  on-  the  accompanying 
map.  Topographically  there  seems  to  be  nothing  which 
indicates  this  difference.  It  is  possible  that  the  influence 
of  the  strictly  Alleghenian  region  flows  over  into  Ohio  to 
that  extent  without  any  attendant  local  conditions  of  topog- 
raphy. A  strong  hint  of  the  reason  for  it  Ties  in  the  much 
greater  snowfall  over  a  large  part  of  this  Alleghenian  area. 
The  fact  that  the  Hooded  Warbler,  Worm-eating  Warbler, 
Kentucky  Warbler,  Golden-winged  Warbler,  White-eyed 
Vireo  and  Summer  Tanager  invade  this  area  to  breed,  sev- 
eral of  them  reaching  the  lake  shore  in  Ashtabula  county, 
and  do  not  breed  as  far  north  anywhere  else  in  the  state, 
would  seem  to  indicate  that  the  conditions  which  so  strongly 
affect  plant  life  have  little  or  no  influence  upon  these  birds. 
They  belong  in  the  Carolinian  Fauna. 

In  northern  Ohio  there  seems  a  strong  tendency  toward 
the  Transition  Zone,  and  in  the  south  a  strongly  typical 
Carolinian  Fauna  in  the  Upper  Austral  Zone.  Thus  the 
Bobolink  breeds  plentifully  all  over  the  northern  third  of  the 
state,  but  is  scarcely  found  in  summer  south  of  the  40th 
parallel.  Wilson  Thrush  also  breeds  north  but  is  absent 
in  summer  south.  The  Black  and  Common  Terns  are  found 
only  at  the  lake  shore  in  summer,  but  the  Carolina  Wren 
and  Cardinal  nest  sparingly,  but  in  increasing  numbers, 
even  to  the  lake  shore.  South  of  the  40th  parallel,  except 
in  the  extreme  north-east,  the  Kentucky  Warbler  and  Sum- 
mer Tanager  spend  the  summer. 


FAUNAL    AREAS.  15 

Careful  scrutiny  of  Dr.  Wheaton's  work  will  make  appar- 
ent to  any  one  that  there  has  been  a  very  perceptible  move- 
ment of  many  species  northward  or  north-eastward  during 
the  last  two  decades.  Several  species  known  then  to  breed 
near  the  lake  shore  clearly  do  not  breed  there  now,  or  if 
at  all  very  rarely.  Several  species  which  did  not  reach  the 
lake  shore  then  are  regular  breeders  there  now.  Some  spe- 
cies which  were  confined  to  the  southern  border  of  the  state 
twenty  years  ago  have  now  reached  the  central  counties, 
or  pushed  even  farther  north-eastward.  Bewick  Wren,  at 
least,  has  invaded  the  state  from  the  south-west.  There  is 
some  indication  of  an  invasion  of  the  Blue  Grosbeak  and 
Nonpareil  soon.  In  winter,  we  in  the  north  now  have  Rob- 
ins and  Bluebirds  with  us  in  small  numbers,  where  seven 
years  ago  none  remained.  The  temperature  is  not  chang- 
ing, but  the  birds  are  gradually  developing  into  hardier  an- 
imals. 

The  species  involved  in  this  north-eastward  movement 
may  be  mentioned.  Of  the  warblers:  the  Prothonotary,. 
Worm-eating,  Golden-winged,  Chestnut-sided,  Magnolia,. 
Kentucky,  and  the  Hooded.  Besides  these  the  Summer 
Tanager;  White-eyed  Vireo ;  Pine  Siskin;  Lark  Sparrow; 
Dickcissel ;  Cardinal;  Carolina  Wren ;  Bewick  Wren;  Tur- 
key Vulture ;  and  Wilson  Snipe.  These  are  the  species  most 
affected.  It  is  more  than  likely  that  the  whole  bird  host  is 
gradually  shifting  northward  as  the  weaker  ones  perish,  leav- 
ing only  the  hardier  individuals  to  occupy  the  arena  of  daily 
strife  for  existence. 

FROM  WHENCE  BIRDS  HAVE  COME  INTO  OHIO. 

Birds  seem  to  have  appeared  upon  the  earth  during  the 
lower  Jurassic  or  possibly  even  during  the  upper  Triassic 
times  in  the  world's  history.  No  fossil  birds  of  these  times 
have  been  found  in  Ohio,  yet  it  is  not  impossible  that  such 
occurred  in  the  region  now  named  Ohio.  However  that 
may  be,  it  is  certainly  true  that  the  great  ice  invasion  from 
the  north,  marking  the  close  of  the  Tertiary  Period  and  the 


16  BIRDS   OF  OHIO. 

beginning  of  the  Quaternary,  with  its  revolutionary  changes 
of  climate  from  almost  universal  tropic  to  frigid  conditions 
over  the  northern  half  of  the  northern  hemisphere,  drove  all 
life  out  of  what  is  now  Ohio.  We  are  therefore  concerned 
only  with  the  reappearance  of  the  birds  in  the  region. 

A  glance  at  the  accompanying  map  will  indicate  the  ex- 
tent of  the  ice-cap  over  Ohio.  It  will  be  noticed  that  the 
south-eastern  counties  escaped  with  nothing  more  than  flood- 
ing by  water  in  the  lowlands  when  the  ice-cap  began  to 
recede  by  melting.  It  will  also  be  clear  that  the  whole  of  the 
state  must  have  been  frigid  during  the  most  of  the  year, 
with  perhaps  short  periods  of  freedom  from  snow  and  ice 
when  the  sun  was  highest  in  mid-summer.  Clearly  the  con- 
ditions were  not  favorable  anywhere  in  the  state  then  for 
breeding.  Such  birds  as  survived  the  changes  occasioned 
by  the  ice  invasion,  the  crowding  into  the  tropics,  and  the 
necessary  change  of  diet,  must  have  remained  well  south 
of  the  ice  barrier  for  long  periods. 

As  the  ice-cap  began  to  recede  in  consequence  of  another 
change  of  climate  to  warmer,  the  birds,  under  the  necessity 
of  securing  more  favorable  conditions  for  breeding,  must 
have  pushed  northward  to  the  limit  of  the  ice,  only  to  be 
forced  south  with  the  approach  of  winter.  With  the  recur- 
rence of  summer  and  the  further  recession  of  the  ice  these  an- 
nual migrations  would  extend  farther  and  farther  north- 
ward, and  the  instinct  for  regular  migrations  be  formed. 

This  being  true,  it  is  clear  that  the  reoccupation  of  Ohio 
must  have  been  from  a  southerly  direction.  But  since  the 
mountains  lying  eastward  and  southward  now  form  a  con- 
siderable barrier  to  the.  migrations  of  the  birds,  it  is  likely 
that  they  did  to  an  even  greater  extent  then,  since  time  has 
served  to  lessen  their  height.  Remembering,  also,  that 
birds  follow  large  features  of  topography  in  their  annual 
migrations,  like  river  valleys  and  coast  lines,  it  will  seem 
more  than  likely  that  the  Ohio  tributary  of  the  great  Missis- 
sippi river  served  as  a  highway  for  the  birds  living  at  the 
close  of  the  Glacial  epoch  as  it  does  to-day.  We  are  there- 
fore safe  in  assuming  that  the  first  invasion  of  the  region 


FROM   WHENCE  BIRDS  HAVE  COME  INTO  OHIO.  17 

which  is  now  -bounded  as  Ohio  came  from  the  south-west. 
This  is  made  clearer  when  we  know  that  the  species  which 
have  come  into  the  state  during  the  last  twenty  years  to  be- 
come regular  summer  residents,  have  come  from  the  south- 
west or  west.  Of  the  thirteen  species  regarded  as  accidental 
within  the  state  seven  must  have  come  from  the  south-west 
or  west,  while  five  may  have  come  from  the  east  or  north- 
east, at  least  two  of  which  were  pretty  clearly  driven  out  of 
their  course  by  severe  storms. 

The  species  which  have  come  into  the  state  since  Dr. 
Wheaton  finished  his  catalogue,  or  which  were  not  known 
to  him,  at  least,  are  as  follows  :  From  the  south-west  and 
west :  Prairie  Horned  Lark,  Henslow  Sparrow,  Nelson 
Sparrow,  Bachman  Sparrow,  Little  Blue  Heron,  and  Black 
Rail.  The  following  species  have  been  found  as  migrants, 
and  can  hardly  be  classed  as  invaders  in  the  true  sense: 
Parasitic  Jaeger,  Barrow  Golden-eye,  American  Eider,  and 
Long-billed  Dowitcher.  Caspian  Tern  is  probably  a  wander- 
er from  the  south. 

The  following  species,  known  to  Dr.  Wheaton,  have  con- 
siderably extended  their  range  eastward  and  north-east- 
ward :  Lark  Sparrow,  Grasshopper  Sparrow,  Dickcissel, 
White-eyed  Vireo,  Prothonotary  Warbler,  Worm-eating 
Warbler,  Golden-winged  Warbler,  Kentucky  Warbler, 
Hooded  Warbler,  Carolina  Wren,  Bewick  Wren,  and  Car- 
olina Chickadee. 

It  has  already  been  hinted  that  there  is  strong  evidence 
for  the  belief  that  several  species  which  earlier  ornitholo- 
gists reported  as  breeding  in  the  north-eastern  counties  have 
ceased  to  do  so,  going  farther  north  to  spend  the  summer 
now.  This  north-eastward  movement  can  hardly  be  due 
to  settlement  of  the  country  in  later  years,  but  rather  seems 
in  direct  accord  with  the  movement  in  the  same  direction 
of  the  several  species  enumerated  above.  Dr.  Merriam 
shows  that  a  tongue  of  the  Lower  Austral  life  zone  reaches 
about  the  middle  of  southern  Indiana  along  the  course  of 
the  Ohio  river.  The  strong  tendency  of  the  birds  to  follow 
the  course  of  the  Ohio  until  they  reach  a  latitude  considera- 


18  BIRDS  OF  OHIO. 

bly  north  of  their  normal  summer  range  in  Ohio,  seems  to 
indicate  that  this  Lower  Austral  extension  may  be  approach- 
ing our  southern  border,  as  far  as  the  birds  are  concerned. 
This  impression  is  emphasized  by  the  numerous  unconfirmed 
reports  of  the  occurrence  of  the  Nonpareil  and  Blue  Gros- 
beak in  the  vicinity  of  Cincinnati.  A  further  indication  of 
the  tendency  of  the  birds,  in  the  latitude  of  Ohio,  to  move 
gradually  northward  with  their  breeding  range,  is  shown  in 
the  increasing  number  of  species  which  remain  during  the 
entire  winter.  It  indicates  that  hardier  individuals  are  grad- 
ually being  developed.  Since  Ohio  lies  near  the  northern  bor- 
der of  the  breeding  range  of  several  species,  and  just  above 
the  northern  range  of  some  others,  we  may  expect  that  the 
hardiest  individuals  of  such  species  will  gradually  invade 
regions  to  the  north  of  their  range  which  have  not  known 
them  hitherto.  This  law  of  differentiation  is  recognized 
in  a  practical  manner  by  those  who  see  sub-specific  differ- 
ences between  the  individuals  of  certain  species  which  habit- 
ually remain  well  south  to  breed  and  those  which  habitu- 
ally push  well  north  to  breed.  This  seems  to  be  one  of  the 
methods  for  the  development  of  species. 

The  appearance  of  northern  breeding  birds  in  the  state 
in  winter  cannot  properly  be  classed  as  invasions,  because 
they  are  forced  south  by  the  stress  of  hunger,  and  return 
at  the  first  opportunity.  It  seems  clear  that  during  the  mi- 
grations of  the  species  which  breed  north  of  the  state,  the 
movement  of  species  in  the  western  end  of  the  state  is  a 
little  west  of  north,  and  in  the  eastern  part  of  the  state  a  lit- 
tle east  of  north.  While  Lake  Erie  is  not  an  insurmountable 
barrier  to  most  species,  they  seem  to  prefer  not  to  cross  it  di- 
rectly or  at  all  if  possible.  I  have  repeatedly  seen  Killdeers 
and  Meadowlarks  strike  out  boldly  for  the  Canada  side, 
with  a  favorable  wind,  only  to  turn  back  before  they  had 
passed  out  of  sight.  It  is  more  than  likely  that  many  indi- 
viduals of  the  species  which  migrate  by  day  pass  around 
the  ends  of  the  lake,  or  cross  at  Sandusky. 


SOURCES  OF  INFORMATION CONTRIBUTORS.  19 

SOURCES  OF  INFORMATION. 

In  the  preparation  of  this  catalogue  the  author  has  re- 
ceived much  valuable  assistance  from  many  sources.  He 
has  freely  consulted  first  of  all  Dr.  J.  M.  Wheaton's  great 
work,  and  has  taken  from  it  many  facts.  Cook's  "Birds  of 
Michigan,"  Butler's  "Birds  of  Indiana,"  Warren's  "Birds 
of  Pennsylvania,"  Ridgway's  "Birds  of  North  and  Middle 
America,"  and  Nehrling's  "Our  Native  Birds  of  Song  and 
Beauty,"  have  proved  valuable  helps  in  many  ways.  With- 
out the  material  support  and  hearty  cooperation  of  the  Ohio 
State  Academy  of  Science,  particularly  its  committee  having 
in  charge  the  McMillin  Fund  for  research,  this  catalogue 
would  not  have  appeared  at  this  time.  To  Professor  Albert 
A.  Wright,  for  valuable  and  timely  suggestions  and  for 
help  in  the  selection  of  a  map ;  and  to  Rev.  W.  L.  Dawson, 
for  cooperation  and  criticism  in  the  compilation  of  the  list 
of  species,  I  desire  to  make  grateful  acknowledgment  here. 
To  all  those  whose  names  appear  below,  who  gave  freely 
of  their  time  and  knowledge  of  the  birds  in  their  localities, 
is  largely  due  the  approximation  to  completeness  of  this 
catalogue.  Many  have  gone  out  of  their  way  to  help  the 
work  along.  With  such  an  enthusiastic  company  of  friends 
there  is  great  hope  for  the  future  of  our  native  birds. 

CONTRIBUTORS. 

The  following  persons  have  returned  lists  of  the  birds  of 
their  localities  checked  upon  provisional  lists  which  were 
furnished  for  that  purpose  : 

Allen — Homer  C.  Bennett,  M.D.,  Lima. 

Ashland— C.  L.  Metcalf,  McZena. 

Ashtabula— W.  P.  Holt,  Rev.  J.  M.  Keck,  Geneva,  Robt.  J. 
Sim,  A.  W.  Galpin,  Jefferson. 

Clark — Leander  S.  Keyser,  Springfield. 

Columbiana — T.  C.  Randolph,  J.  W.  Suliot,  Salem. 

Crawford — Hiram  B.  Sears,  Bucyrus. 

Cuyahoga — A.  Hall,  Lakewood;  Prof.  Francis  H.  Herrick,  R.  J. 
Tozer,  Cleveland. 


20  BIRDS  OF  OHIO. 

Defiance — Charles  E.  Slocum,  M.D.,  Defiance. 

Delaware — Miss  Ida  Newell,  Prof.  Edward  L.  Rice.    Delaware. 

Erie — R.  L.  Baird,  Prof.  E.  L.  Moseley,  R.  D.  L.  Ransom,  San- 
dusky;  Carl  Tuttle,  M.D.,  Berlin  Heights. 

Franklin — Rev.  W.  L.  Dawson,  Prof.  J.  S.  Hine,  Columbus. 

Fulton — Thomas  Mikesell,  Wauseon. 

Geauga — Rev.  J.  M.  Keck,  Orange  Cook,  Chardon. 

Greene — Eliza  G.  Rice,  Yellow  Springs. 

Hamilton — Charles  Dury,  Russell  Everett,  Laura  Gano,  F.  W. 
Langdon,  M.D.,  Joshua  Lindhal,  Morris  Peck,  C.  C.  Smith,  Fran- 
cis P.  Smith,  Cincinnati;  R.  F.  Souter,  Bond  Hill. 

Hardin — George  H.  Palmer,  Kenton;  Agnew  Welsh,  Ada. 

Harrison — Harry  B.  McConnell,  Cadiz. 

Knox — T.  E.  Haughey,  Academia. 

Lake — E.  A.  Doolittle,  V.  E.  and  T.  B.  Wyman,  Painesville; 
Rev.  J.  M.  Keck,  Mentor. 

Licking — Irving  A.  Field,  Granville;  Raymond  Osburn,  Va- 
natta. 

Logan — Homer  C.  Bennett,  M.D.,  Bellefontaine. 

Lorain — Lynds  Jones,  Oberlin. 

Lucas — F.  H.  Burglehause,  Miss  Lucy  J.  Retscher,  Toledo. 

Madison — Max  Morse,  London. 

Mahoning — E.  W.  Vickers,  Ellsworth. 

Morgan — E.  J.  Arrick,  C.  H.  Morris,  McConnellsville. 

Perry — Rev.  Henry  Beeman,  New  Lexington;  Geo.  W.  DeLong, 
Corning. 

Pike — Rev.  W.  F.  Henninger,  Waverly. 

Portage — Cornelius  Baldwin,  Nelson;  Geo.  H.  Colton,  Hiram; 
Roscoe  J.  Webb,  Garrettsville. 

Preble — Julia  K.  Holn,  Lewisburg. 

Scioto — Rev.  W.  F.  Henninger,  South  Webster. 

Summit — Eugene  F.  Cranz,  Ira;  Wm.  B.  Haynes,  Akron. 

Union — Lizzie  A.  Copp,  Richwood. 

Warren — Anna  C.  Stenson,  Harveysburg. 

Wayne — J.  G.  Black,  Scott  G.  Harry,  Harry  C.  Oberholser, 
Ethel  Dane  Roberts,  Wooster. 

Wyandot — Thos.  A.  Bonser,  Carey;  Paul  Smith,  Upper  San- 
dusky. 

In  addition  to  the  names  mentioned  above,  valuable  notes 
have  been  received  from  Dr.  W.  H.  Fisher,  of  Cincinnati, 
from  his  records  of  specimens  in  his  private  collection,  relat- 
ing to  food  and  the  occurrence  of  many  species,  and  from 
Mr.  E.  B.  Williamson,  giving  dates  of  nesting  of  many 
species  in  various  places  in  the  state.  Clippings  from  lo- 


CONTRIBUTORS.  21 

cal  newspapers  in  which  birds  are  mentioned,  which  have 
been  sent  to  me  by  many  helpers,  are  too  numerous  and  the 
sources  from  which  they  came  too  various  to  be  given  in- 
dividual mention  here. 

Dr.  Frank  W.  Langdon,  Mr.  Charles  Dury  and  Dr.  Josua 
Lindahl  have  contributed  notes  covering  a  long  series  of 
years  in  the  vicinity  of  Cincinnati  and  elsewhere  in  the  state ; 
and  Mr.  Wm.  B.  Haynes,  of  Akron,  has  given  special  at- 
tention to  the  shore  birds  of  the  natural  lakes  of  that  vicin- 
ity. 

Mr.  H.  C.  Oberholser  has  been  good  enough  to  go  over 
the  list  of  species  here  recorded,  making  suggestions  and 
comments  which  have  greatly  aided  me  in  the  final  arrange- 
ment of  the  catalogue.  His  "Birds  of  Wayne  County, 
Ohio,"  and  Rev.  W.  F.  Henninger's  "Birds  of  Middle 
Southern  Ohio,"  have  been  valuable  aids  in  the  revision  of 
the  work. 

In  1891  Messrs.  L.  M.  McCormick  and  G.  D.  Wilder  pre- 
pared a  list  of  the  birds  of  Lorain  county,  from  which  I 
have  been  able  to  add  not  a  little  to  our  knowledge  of  the 
birds  of  the  northern  parts  of  our  state. 

To  these  gentlemen  and  to  all  who  have  given  so  freely 
of  their  time  and  notes  I  wish  to  tender  my  grateful  thanks. 
They  have  made  a  difficult  task  possible  of  accomplishment. 

In  addition  to  the  counties  represented  upon  the  list  given 
above,  the  writer  has  been  able  to  spend  a  greater  or  less  time 
in  studying  the  birds  in  the  following  counties :  Athens, 
Fairfield,  Gallia,  Huron,  Lawrence,  Medina,  Meigs,  Mus- 
kingum,  Ottawa  (islands  only),  Perry,  and  Washington. 
The  work  in  all  of  these  counties,  except  Huron  and  Medi- 
na, was  done  in  company  with  Rev.  W.  L.  Dawson.  At 
Chippewa  Lake,  Medina  county,  Mr.  R.  L.  Baird  accom- 
panied me.  Mr.  Baird  has  also  been  associated  with  me 
in  considerable  of  the  later  work  about  Oberlin.  At  the 
Licking  Reservoir,  which  included  parts  of  Licking,  Fair- 
field,  and  Perry  counties,  Messrs.  E.  J.  Arrick  and  Irving 
A.  Field  also  participated.  Several  days  were  spent  in  the 
vicinity  of  Jefferson,  Ashtabula  county,  with  Mr.  Robt.  J. 


22  BIRDS  OF  OHIO. 

Sim.     Most  of  the  work  in  Erie  and  Huron  counties  has 
been  without  company. 

From  the  foregoing  remarks  it  will  be  clear  that  a  consid- 
erable portion  of  the  state  remains  to  be  explored  ornitho- 
logically,  particularly  in  the  south  and  west.  Some  per- 
sons with  considerable  leisure  ought  to  be  posted  along  our 
southern  and  western  borders  to  watch  for  invasions  of 
species  from  Kentucky  and  Indiana.  I  earnestly  hope  that 
the  appearance  of  this  catalogue  will  mark  the  beginning 
of  an  era  of  unusual  activity  in  the  study  of  the  birds  of  our 
fair  state. 


THE  BIRDS  OF  OHIO. 


ORDER  PYGOPODES.    Diving  Birds. 

SUBORDER  PODICIPEDES.     Grebes. 

Family  PODICIPID^:.     Grebes. 

This  family  is  represented  in  our  state  by  three  species, 
one  large  and  two  small.  The  food  consists  of  fish,  aquatic 
insects,  crustaceans,  batrachians,  and  considerable  aquatic 
vegetable  matter.  The  grebes  pursue  the  fish  under  water, 
using  only  the  feet  in  swimming  under  water.  A  Horned 
Grebe  found  on  the  streets  of  Oberlin,  February  9,  1895,  by 
Mr.  H.  C.  Tracy,  had  completely  filled  its  gizzard  with 
small  rubber  bands,  probably  picked  up  on  the  street  under 
the  supposition  that  they  were  worms.  The  bird  was  found 
in  an  exhausted  condition,  and  soon  died. 

(The  first  number  at  the  left  is  the  serial  number  of  this  cat- 
alogue. The  second  number,  which  is  in  parenthesis,  is  the 
present  number  of  the  species  in  the  Check-List  of  the  American 
Ornithologists'  Union.  The  number  to  the  right  of  the  scien- 
tific name  and  authority  is  the  number  found  in  Dr.  Wheaton's 
Check-List,  pages  571-584,  of  his  catalogue.) 

1.     (2.)     COLYMBUS  HOLBOZLLII   (Reinh.).     287. 
Holboell  Grebe. 

Synonyms:      Podiceps    grisigena    var.  holboelli,    P.    holbo3lli,    P. 

grisigena. 
American  Red-necked  Grebe,   Red-necked  Grebe. 

Kirtland,  Ohio  Geol.  Surv.,  1838,  166,  187.  (Podiceps  rubricollis.) 

This  is  a  rare  and  irregular  winter  visitor  and  migrant, 
upon  almost  any  of  the  Ohio  lakes,  reservoirs  or  rivers. 
There  have  been  fewer  records  since  Dr.  Wheaton's  cata- 
logue was  printed  than  before. 


24  BIRDS   OF   OHIO. 

2.  (3.)     COLYMBUS  AURITUS  Linn.     288. 

Horned  Grebe. 

Synonyms:     Dytes  auritus,  Podiceps  cornutus. 
Audubon,  Orn.  Biog.,  Ill,  1835,  429. 

While  this  grebe  is  not  common  during  the  migrations 
it  can  hardly  be  called  rare  in  most  parts  of  the  state.  It 
is  somewhat  regular  as  a  migrant,  but  may  be  fo^nd  during 
the  winter.  Companies  of  a  dozen  or  more  individuals  in 
full  spring  dress  are  not  infrequent  on  Lake  Erie.  During 
the  southward  migration  there  is  a  strong  tendency  for  the 
birds  to  occur  two  at  a  time  on  the  smaller  waters.  The 
report  of  the  breeding  of  this  species  in  Ottawa  county  has 
not  been  confirmed. 

This  grebe  is  as  good  a  diver  as  the  more  familiar  Pied- 
billed,  for  which  it  is  often  mistaken.  The  slenderness  of 
the  bill  should  always  easily  distinguish  it  from  that  species. 

In  the  migrations  the  Horned  Grebe  reaches  Oberlin 
about  the  middle  of  April  and  remains  until  about  the  first 
of  May.  It  returns  early  in  October  and  tarries  until  ice 
forms  on  the  ponds,  and  may  be  found  at  any  time  during 
the  winter  about  open  water. 

3.  (6.)     PODILYMBUS  PODICEPS  (Linn.).     289. 

Pied-billed  Grebe. 

Synonyms:      Podiceps  carolinensis ,    Colymbus  podiceps. 

Pied-billed  Dabchick,  Thick-billed  Grebe,  Dabchick,  Dipper, 
Didipper,   Diedapper,   Water-witch,   Hell-diver,   Devil-diver. 

Kirtland,  Ohio  Geol.  Surv.,  1838,  166,  187. 

This  is  the  most  familiar  grebe  in  Ohio,  known  by  a  di- 
versity of  names  to  suit  the  experiences  of  each  individual 
hunter.  However,  the  modern  shot-gun  or  rifle  is  too  quick 
for  him.  To  be  sure  he  sometimes  succeeds  in  dodging  the 
lead  thrown  at  him,  but  far  oftener  he  falls  a  victim  to  it, 
as  the  breasts  which  may  be  seen  on  hats  and  in  boas  too 
well  show. 

This  grebe  nests  sparingly  all  over  the  state  where  con- 
ditions may  be  favorable.  One  could  hardly  call  the  species 


PYGOPODES.  25 

common  anywhere,  but  individuals  are  to  be  found  during 
the  spring  and  fall  months,  on  almost  any  body  of  water  a 
half  acre  in  extent. 

Lorain  county  dates  for  spring  appearance  fall  within  the 
last  week  of  March,  and  the  departures  during  the  second 
week  in  October. 

SUBORDER  CEPPHI.    Loons,  Auks,  Murres   etc. 
Family  GAVIID^E.     Loons. 

Three  species  belonging  to  this  family  inhabit  Ohio  more 
or  less  regularly.  Only  one  species,  the  Loon,  is  regular  in 
its  appearance,  the  other  two  reach  the  state  only  in  severe 
winters.  The  food  is  similar  to  that  of  the  Grebes,  with  a 
larger  proportion  of  fish,  probably,  and  somewhat  less  of 
vegetable  matter. 

4.  (7.)     GAVIA  IMBER  (Gunn.).     290. 

Loon. 

Synonyms:     Colymbus  torquatus,  C.  imber,  C.  glacialis,  Urina- 

tor  imber. 

Great  Northern  Diver,   Common  Loon. 
Kirtland,  Ohio  Geol.  Surv.,  1838,  166,  186. 

The  Loon  is  no  longer  a  common  bird  anywhere  in  the 
state,  but  it  is  not  infrequently  seen  during  the  migrations 
on  the  larger  waters.  It  is  apparently  a  rare  summer  resi- 
dent in  the  region  of  Sandusky  and  Toledo,  and  possibly 
elsewhere  along  the  lake  shore. 

At  Oberlin  it  has  been  seen  in  late  April  and  early  Oc- 
tober, but  no  definite  dates  of  migration  can  be  given.  Rev. 
Mr.  Henninger  has  found  it  as  Ute  as  the  first  of  May  at 
Piketon. 

5.  (9.)     GAVIA  ARCTICA  (Linn.).     291. 

BLACK-THROATED  LOQN. 

Synonyms:     CoJymbus  arcticus,  Urinator  arcticus. 

Black-throated  Diver. 
Wheaton,  Ohio  Geol.  Surv.,  1882,  565. 


26  BIRDS  OF  OHIO. 

This  loon  is  casual  as  a  winter  visitor  in  the  state.  There 
have  been  a  number  of  specimens  captured  since  that  're- 
corded by  Dr.  Wheaton,  which  was  captured  neat  Kelley's 
Island  instead  of  in  Sandusky  Bay,  Mr.  Roscoe  J.  Webb, 
who  secured  the  specimen  from  Mr.  Crane  in  whose  col- 
lection it  was,  tells  me. 

6.  (11.)     GAVIA  LUMME  (Gunn.).    292. 

Red-throated  Loon. 

Synonyms:     Colymbus  septentrionalis,  Urinator  lumrae,   Colym- 

bus  lumme. 
Red-throated  Diver. 
Wheaton,  Ohio  Agri.  Rep.  for  1860,  371,  379. 

This  loon  is  everywhere  rare  in  the  state.  It  has  been 
taken  at  Cincinnati,  according  to  Mr.  Dury  and  Dr.  Lang- 
don,  and  at  Wheelersburg,  Scioto  county,  by  Rev  Mr.  Hen- 
ninger.  It  is  rare  on  Lake  Erie.  No  dates  of  migration 
can  be  given,  but  it  is  probably  to  be  found  in  late  March. 

ORDER  LONGIPENNES.    Long-winged  Swimmers. 
Family  STERCORARIID^E.    Skuas  and  Jaegers. 

Two  species  of  this  small  family  reach  our  state  more  or 
less  regularly,  but  are  rare  everywhere.  They  are  the  birds 
of  prey  among  the  gulls  and  terns,  getting  a  large  part  of 
their  living  by  forcing  the  gulls  and  terns  to  drop  their 
catch  of  fish,  thus  stealing  it  from  them.  It  is  not  clear 
whether  these  birds  ever  eat  the  garbage  thrown  out  from 
cities  into  the  ocean;  if  hard  pressed  for  food  they  might 
do  so. 

7.  (36.)     STERCORARIUS  POMARINUS    (Temm.).     286. 

Pomarine  Jaeger. 

Synonyms:      Stercorarius  pomatorhinus,  Larus  pomarinus. 
Wheaton,  Ohio  Geol.  Surv.,  1882,  545. 

The  records  of  this  rare  species  are  as  follow :  H.  E. 
Chubb,  Cleveland,  fall  of  1880  (Wheaton,  1882)  ;  E.  L. 


LONGIPENNES.  27 

Moseley,  Sandusky,  Oct.,  1889  (Cook,  Birds  of  Michigan, 
26)  ;  A.  Hengartner,  Lorain,  date  not  known.  It  is  likely 
to  be  found  on  any  of  the  larger  waters  with  flocks  or  com- 
panies of  gulls. 

8.     (37.)     STERCORARIUS  PARASITICUS  (Linn.).     — 

Parasitic  Jaeger. 
Synonyms:     Lams  parasiticus. 

Smith,   Raymond  W.,   Journal   Gin.   Soc.   Nat.   Hist.,  XIV,   1891, 
107. 

The  specimen  here  recorded  was  captured  near  Lebanon, 
at  the  close  of  a  week  of  very  stormy  weather,  in  the  latter 
part  of  March  or  the  early  part  of  April,  1880.  Name  of 
captor  not  given.  It  was  given  to  Mr.  J.  E.  Gould,  who 
preserved  it  in  his  collection.  This  appears  to  be  the  first 
published  record. 

E.  L.  Moseley  reports  three  specimens  preserved  in  local 
collections  in  Sandusky  as  follows  :  Oct.  6,  1895 ;  Sept.  13, 
1899 ;  also  'a  Jaeger  probably  of  this  species  Sept.  20,  1889,' 
Frey.  There  is  a  specimen  of  this  species  in  the  collection 
of  Mr.  A.  Hengartner,  Lorain,  which  Mr.  Hengartner  shot 
near  Lorain  on  the  lake  shore. 

Another  specimen  is  recorded  by  Prof.  F.  M.  Comstock, 
in  The  Auk,  XIII,  1896,  171,  captured  near  Sandusky,  in 
November,  1895.  Prof.  Cor^.stock  also  mentions  a  record 
in  the  Cleveland  Academy  of  Science  Proceedings,  by  Dr. 
Kirtland,  of  a  specimen  probably  of  this  species  captured 
at  the  mouth  of  Rocky  River,  in  November,  1857.  Volume 
and  date  of  the  publication  not  given. 


Family  LARID^E.     Gulls  and  Terns. 

Sub-family  LARTN^.     Gulls. 

The  gulls  differ  from  the  terns  in  generally  larger  size 
and  in  their  manner  of  feeding,  as  well  as  somewhat  in  the 
food  eaten.  There  are  two  gulls  regularly  found  in  the 


28  BIRDS   OF  OHIO. 

state  at  some  time  of  the  year,  and  five  which  appear  oc- 
casionally. 

While  flying  over  the  water  in  search  of  food  they  hold 
the  head  horizontally,  so  that  the  bill  is  in  a  line  with  the 
body.  They  do  not  plunge  into  the  water  for  a  fish  or  other 
food,  but  settle  upon  it,  or  take  fish  or  other  food  from  the 
surface.  They  catch  fish  alive,  eat  dead  fish  which  may  be 
thrown  upon  the  shore  by  the  waves,  and  eat  greedily  of 
the  garbage  thrown  out  from  coast  cities.  The^  smaller 
gulls  may  also  eat  some  insects.  Gulls  often  follow  in  the 
wake  of  ships  and  snatch  any  morsel  of  food  which  may  be 
thrown  into  the  water. 

As  scavengers  the  gulls  take  first  rank  because  they  are 
the  most  numerous  birds  along  our  coasts.  They  congre- 
gate about  the  garbage  scows  in  great  numbers  and  prevent 
garbage  from  washing  ashore  to  pollute  earth  and  air.  The 
laws  for  their  protection  should  leave  no  room  for  a  doubt 
as  to  their  meaning  in  the  mind  of  any  one. 

9.  (43.)     LARUS  LEUCOPTERUS  Faber.    274. 

Iceland  Gull. 

Synonyms:     White-winged   Gull. 
Wheaton,  Ohio  Agri.  Report,  1860,  370,  379. 

Besides  the  record  which  Dr.%Wheaton  has  left  us,  of  the 
capture  of  two  or  three  specimens  in  Cleveland  harbor,  on 
the  authority  of  Mr.  R.  K.  Winslow,  the  only  record  is  for 
Lorain,  Dec.  22,  1888,  on  the  authority  of  Mr.  L.  M.  Mc- 
Cormick.  A  specimen  was  captured  near  Lorain  on  the 
lake,  and  preseved  in  the  Oberlin  College  museum. 

10.  (47.)     LARUS  MARINUS  Linn.    275. 

Great  Black-backed  Gull. 
Synonyms:     Saddle-back,   Coffin-carrier,  Cobb. 
Audubon,  Orn.  Biog.,  Ill,  1835,  98. 

Dr.  Wheaton's  records  for  this  gull  are  admittedly  weak, 
and  I  am  therefore  glad  to  strengthen  them  by  one  actual 
capture  and  one  other  record  which  is  hardly  open  to  ques- 


LONGIPENNES.  29 

tion.  Mr.  E.  W.  Vickers  reports  "One  found  dead  floating 
among  ice  in  the  creek  near  Canton."  Rev.W.  F.  Henninger 
adds  another  record  for  Pike  county,  March  21,  1901. 
(Wilson  Bulletin  No.  40,  1902,  page  79.)  Individuals 
should  be  found  occasionally  on  Lake  Erie  during  the  win- 
ter, and  wanderers  might  occasionally  reach  Kentucky. 

11.  (51.)     LARUS  ARGENTATUS  Briinn.    276. 

Herring  Gull. 

Synonyms:    Larus  argentatus  smithsonianus. 

American  Herring  Gull. 
Audubon,  Orn.  Biog.,  Ill,  1835,  98. 

It  is,  perhaps,  not  quite  true  that  this  gull  is  a  resident  in 
the  state  in  spite  of  the  fact  that  birds  have  been  seen  on  the 
lake  shore  during  every  week  in  the  year,  because  there  are 
no  breeding  records.  Probably  the  summer  birds  were  wan- 
dering males  or  unmated  birds.  It  is  a  common  bird  locally 
on  the  larger  streams  and  lakes  during  the  migrations,  but 
does  not  seem  to  be  a  winter  resident  upon  any  of  the  inland 
waters,  except  possibly  the  Ohio  river. 

The  Lake  Erie  flocks  are  much  larger  after  the  middle  of 
March  than  during  the  winter.  Only  during  the  period 
when  the  lake  is  well  filled  with  ice  are  the  numbers  few. 
During  the  severest  weather  they  remain  near  the  fish 
houses  or  follow  the  ice  cutters,  unless  there  be  rifts  of 
open  water  not  far  out. 

12.  (54.)     LARUS  DELAWARENSIS  Ord.     277. 

Ring-billed  Gull. 

Synonyms:     Common  American  Gull. 
Audubon,  Orn.  Biog.,  Ill,  1835,  98. 

I  have  looked  for  this  gull  in  vain.  It  is  reported  as  rare 
everywhere  in  the  state.  What  Dr.  Wheaton  says  of  it 
would  indicate  that  even  as  he  wrote  in  1882,  the  numbers 
were  growing  considerably  less.  There  appears  to  be  no 
evidence  of  its  breeding  within  the  state.  It  is  possible  that 
several  of  the  gulls  formerly  nested  on  the  islands  within 


30  BIRDS   OF  OHIO. 

the  international  boundary,  before  they  were  so  fully  settled, 
but  positive  evidence  of  the  breeding  of  this  species  is  lack- 
ing. 

13.  (60.)     LARUS  PHILADELPHIA    (Ord.).     278. 

Bonaparte  Gull. 

Synonyms:      Larus     capistriatus,     L.    bonapartii,     Choicocepha- 

lus  Philadelphia,  Sterna  Philadelphia. 
Bonaparte's  Rosy  Gull. 
Audubon,  Orn.  Biog.,  IV,  1838,  212. 

This  is  the  most  common  small  gull,  but  it  is  only  locally 
common  during  the  migrations.  It  is  said  to  breed  on  Gull 
Island  in  Lake  Erie,  but  I  have  been  unable  to  verify  this 
statement.  It  was  not  found  on  the  small  island?  north  of 
our  boundary.  Migration  dates  are  unsatisfactory  and  irreg- 
ular. The  species  probably  reaches  the  state  in  late  April. 

14.  (62.)     XEMA  SABINII   (Sab.).     279. 

Sabine  Gull. 

Synonyms:     Larus  sabinii,  Xema  sabinei. 

Fork-tailed  Gull. 
Wheaton,  Ohio  Agri.  Report,  1860,  371,  379. 

This  record  is  apparently  based  upon  a  single  specimen 
in  immature  plumage  captured  in  Cleveland  harbor  by  Mr. 
R.  K.  Winslow,  earlier  than  1880,  and  preserved  for  a  time 
in  the  collection  of  the  Ohio  Medical  College.  It  had  been 
destroyed  previous  to  1882. 

Subfamily  STERNIN^.     Terns. 

Seven  species  of  terns  occur  in  Ohio,  the  Common  and 
Black  being  the  only  regular  visitors  in  summer.  Terns  fly 
with  the  bill  pointing  down  instead  of  forward,  and  the 
species  which  we  find  have  a  forked  tail,  while  the  gulls 
have  a  square  cut  tail.  The  terns  dive  into  the  water  for  fish. 
They  also  eat  garbage,  and  the  smaller  ones,  at  least,  feed 
upon  insects  after  the  fashion  of  the  swallows.  As  scaven- 
gers they  are  useful  birds,  but  doubly  increase  our  debt  to 


LONGIPENNES.  31 

them  by  feeding  upon  insects  as  well.  The  law  against 
killing  or  injuring  gulls  and  terns  should  be  carefully  ob- 
served and  rigidly  enforced.  It  is  unlawful  to  possess  any 
part  of  a  gull  or  tern,  as  well  as  any  part  of  most  other  wild 
birds,  in  Ohio. 

15.  (63.)     GELOCHELIDON  NILOTICA    (Hasselq.).     280. 

Gull-billed  Tern. 

Synonyms:     Sterna  anglica,  S.  aranea,  S.  nilotica. 

Marsh  Tern. 
Kirtland,  Ohio  Geol.  Surv.,  1838,  166,  185. 

Its  place  on  our  list  is  based  upon  the  above  reference,  and 
upon  specimens  reported  by  Mr.  R.  K.  Winslow  for  the  vi- 
cinity of  Cleveland.  It  seems  likely  that  more  familiarity 
with  this  species  will  prove  that  it  is  more  regular  as  a  sum- 
mer visitor  than  has  been  supposed. 

It  has  not  been  found  in  Indiana  nor  in  the  western  part 
of  Pennsylvania,  but  it  is  reported  as  breeding  on  the  St.. 
Clair  flats. 

16.  (64.)     STERNA  CASPIA  (Pall.).     — . 

Caspian   Tern. 

Synonyms:     Sterna  tschegrava. 

Imperial  Tern. 
Dury,  Catalogue  of  Birds,  Animals  and  Fishes,  1886,  4. 

Mr.  Charles  Dury  reports  specimens  from  Ross  lake, 
Little  Miami  river,  Ohio  river  near  the  Miami  river; 
specimens  from  which  places  are  in  his  collection  and  in 
that  of  the  Cincinnati  Society  of  Natural  History.  Prof. 
Moseley  reports  it  from  Sandusky.  I  have  a  record  for 
Licking  reservoir,  May  31,  1902.  It  must  be  regarded  as 
a  summer  straggler  in  the  state. 

17.  (69.)     STERNA  FORSTERI  Nutt.    281. 

Forster  Tern. 
Wheaton,  Ohio  Agri.  Report,  1874,  515. 

Forster  Tern  is  apparently  casual  in  the  state.  I  have 
received  no  records  since  those  given  by  Dr.  Wheaton.  The 


32  BIRDS  OF  OHIO. 

difficulty  of  identifying  this  tern  renders  it  probable  that 
many  occurrences  are  not  noted. 

"Mr.  Langdon  gives  it  as  a  rare  migrant  in  the  vicinity 
of  Cincinnati,  where  Messrs.  Dury  and  Freeman  note  six 
specimens  taken  May  4,  1879.  My  own  experience  with 
the  bird  in  this  vicinity  is  limited  to  a  single  specimen  taken 
in  the  fall  of  1861  or  1862."  (Wheaton.) 

18.  (70.)     STERNA  HIRUNDO  Linn.     282. 

Common  Tern. 

Synonyms:     Sterna  fluviatilis,  S.  wilsonii. 

Wilson's  Tern,  Sea  Swallow. 
Nuttall,  Man.,  II,  1834,  271. 

As  its  name  implies,  this  tern  is  the  common  form  during 
the  migrations  wherever  there  is  a  lake  or  large  stream.  It 
is  not  everywhere  common,  however,  but  may  be  locally  so 
anywhere  in  the  state.  It  breeds  in  large  numbers  on  the 
islands  just  north  of  our  boundary,  and  less  numerously  on 
a  few  of  the  smaller  islands  within  our  boundary.  It  has 
been  reported  as  breeding  at  Sandusky,  but  no  nests  appear 
to  have  been  found  there.  The  birds  seen  during  the  sum- 
mer in  the  bay  and  that  vicinity  are  clearly  not  breeding 
birds  but  wanderers  in  search  of  food. 

During  the  second  week  in  May  it  is  abundant  along  the 
lake  front,  then  usually  appearing  in  loose  companies  of 
from  ten  to  fifty  or  more  individuals. 

The  migrations  occur  during  the  first  week  in  May,  or 
the  last  week  in  April,  and  from  the  first  week  in  August 
well  into  October  or  even  November  in  the  southern  coun- 
ties. 

19.  (72.)     STERNA  DOUGALLI  Montag.     283. 

Roseate  Tern. 
Synonyms:     Sterna  paradisea. 

Paradise  Tern. 
Audubon,  Orn.  Biog.  Ill,  1835,  98. 

According  to  the  records  this  species  has  been  found  in 
Ohio  less  than  a  half  dozen  times,  once  at  Cincinnati  by  Dr. 
Frank  W.  Langdon,  and  the  others  at  the  lake  shore. 


LONGIPENNES.  33 

20.  (74.)     STERNA  ANTILLARUM    (Less.).    284. 

Least  Tern. 

Synonyms:     Sterna  minuta,  S.  frenata,  S.  superciliaris,  Sternula 

antillarum,  Sterna  superciliaris  antillarum. 
Audubon,  Orn.  Biog.,  IV,  1838,  175. 

The  records  for  this  tern  are  few  but  well  scattered  over 
the  state.  It  appears  to  be  a  rare  migrant  everywhere.  I 
have  never  seen  it  at  the  lake  shore.  Its  routes  of  migra- 
tion may  be  largely  confined  to  the  western  half  of  the  state. 

21.  (77.)   HYDROCHELIDON   NIGRA  SURINAMENSIS  (Gmel.). 

285. 

Black  Tern. 

Synonyms:  Hydrochelidon  lariformis  Surinam ensis ,  H.  larifor- 
mis,  H.  plumbea,  H.  fissipes,  Sterna  nigra,  S.  surinamen- 
'Sis. 

Short-tailed  Tern. 
Audubon,  Orn.  Biog.,  Ill,  1835,  535. 

The  Black  Tern  is  nowhere  as  common  as  the  Common 
Tern,  but  it  is  not  at  all  rare  as  a  summer  resident  in  the 
vicinity  of  Sandusky  and  Toledo.  I  have  been  unable  to 
find  it  farther  east  as  a  summer  resident.  While  the  Com- 
mon Terns  breed  upon  the  islands  well  up  from  the  water 
the  Black  Terns  choose  the  marshes,  building  a  nest  on  the 
rotten  floating  vegetation  in  the  swamps  where  there  is  no 
danger  from  waves. 

The  spring  migrations  occur  during  the  second  week  in 
May  at  Oberlin,  but  probably  a  week  earlier  in  the  region 
of  Sandusky.  I  have  no  records  for  the  departure  south- 
ward. We  found  them  on  the  Ohio  river  late  in  August. 

ORDER  STEGANOPODES.     Totipalmate  Swimmers. 
Family  PHALACROCORACID^E.     Cormorants. 

One  member  of  this  family  passes  across  Ohio,  and 
nested  in  former  years.  Cormorants  are  great  fish  eat- 
ers, and  probably  eat  little  if  anything  else.  The  Chinese 
train  them  to  fish  for  them. 


34  BIRDS  OF   OHIO. 

22.     (120.)     PHALACROCORAX  DILOPHUS  (Swain).     272. 

Double-crested  Cormorant. 

Synonyms:    Graculus  dilophus,  Pelecanus   (Carbo)   dilophus. 
Wheaton,  Ohio  Agri.  Report,  1874,  575. 

The  cormorants  are  not  well  enough  known  to  give  us 
much  of  an  idea  of  their  distribution  in  the  state.  This  one 
appears  to  be  a  rare  migrant  in  the  western  half,  probably, 
passing  across  the  state  without  stopping  usually,  since 
there  is  no  suitable  feeding  place  except  the  reservoirs.  Dr. 
Wheaton  states  that  this  species  may  have  nested  at  the 
Licking  reservoir  in  earlier  years.  Mr.  Dury  found  it 
nesting  at  St.  Mary's  reservoir  more  than  twenty  years  ago. 


Family  PELECANID^:.     Pelicans. 

Of  the  three  species  in  this  family  only  the  American 
White  Pelican  is  found  in  Ohio.  This  pelican  lives  upon 
fish  which  it  scoops  up  from  the  water  in  the  capacious 
pouch  hanging  to  its  lower  mandible.  There  is  no  evi- 
dence that  it  carries  either  fish  or  water  in  the  pouch  while 
flying,  since  its  young  are  fed  upon  partially  digested  fish 
disgorged  from  its  crop. 

23.     (125.)     PELECANUS   ERYTHRORHYNCHOS   Cmel.     271. 
American  White  Pelican. 

Synonyms:     Pelecanus  trachyrhynchus,  P.  onocrotalus. 

White  Pelican. 
Kirtland,  Ohio  Geol.  Surv.,  1838,  166,  187. 

The  pelican  is  a  rare  migrant  across  the  state.  So  con- 
spicuous a  bird  would  be  reported  generally  if  it  occurred. 
One  was  shot  at  the  Licking  reservoir  about  May  15,  1902. 
It  has  been  seen  at  Oberlin  twice.  The  records  are  few  and 
scattering,  but  seem  to  indicate  that  it  is  confined  to  the 
western  half  of  the  state. 


ANSERES.  35 

ORDER  ANSERES.  Lamellirostral  Swimmers. 
Family  ANATID^:.    Ducks,  Geese,  and  Swans. 

The  members  of  this  order  must  be  treated  under  the  sub- 
family  groups. 

Subfamily  MERGING.    Mergansers. 

All  three  American  members  of  this  subfamily  occur  in 
Ohio  somewhat  regularly  during  the  migrations.  They  are 
properly  designated  "Fish  Ducks,"  because  they  feed  largely 
upon  fish,  but  probably  also  eat  mollusks,  crustaceans,  frogs, 
and  other  aquatic  animals  to  some  extent.  Dr.  Warren 
states  that  in  diving  they  use  the  wings  as  well  as  the  feet 
for  propulsion.  On  the  surface  of  the  water  they  certainly 
use  their  wings  when  hard  pressed  to  get  away,  but  are  un- 
able to  fly  up.  The  flesh  of  the  two  larger  species  is  rank 
and  fishy,  but  the  Hooded  Merganser  is  a  table  delicacy. 

24.  (129.)     MERGANSER  AMERICANUS   (Cass.).     268. 

American   Merganser. 

Synonyms:     Mergus  merganser,   M.  m.  americanus,   M.  ameri- 

icanus. 

Merganser,  Goosander,  Fish  Duck,  American  Sheldrake. 
Kirtland,  Ohio  Geol.  Surv.,  1838,  166,  187. 

Both  mergansers  remain  all  winter  where  there  may  be 
open  water  sufficient  for  feeding.  This  form  appears  to  be 
the  more  common  of  the  two  belonging  to  the  genus  Mer- 
ganser. It  is  found  on  Lake  Erie  well  into  January,  but  is 
not  found  during  the  period  when  the  lake  is  ice  bound — 
during  the  most  of  February  and  sometimes  the  first  week 
of  March.  It  has  passed  north  by  the  third  week  in  April. 

25.  (130.)      MERGANSER  SERRATOR  (Linn.).    269. 

Red-breasted  Merganser. 

Synonyms:     Mergus  serrator. 

Red-breasted  Sheldrake. 
Kirtland,  Ohio  Geol.  Surv.,  1838,  166,  187. 


36  BIRDS  OF  OHIO. 

This  "Fish  Duck"  is  not  only  less  common  than  the  pre- 
ceding species,  but  is  even  rare  over  most  of  the  state.  It  is 
seldom  seen  during  the  winter  months,  but  must  still  be  con- 
sidered a  winter  visitor  as  well  as  a  rare  migrant  across  the 
state.  Its  occurrences  are  too  few  and  too  scattered  to 
assign  migration  dates. 

26.     (131.)     LOPHODYTES  CUCULLATUS  (Linn.).     270. 
Hooded  Merganser. 

Snyonyms:     Mergus  cucullatus. 

Saw-bill,  Topknot,  Hooded  Sheldrake. 
Kirtland,  Ohio  Geol.  Surv.,  1838,  166,  187. 

While  this  merganser  is  rather  more  numerous  than 
either  of  the  larger  species,  it  is  only  locally  common  in  the 
state  as  a  migrant.  There  are  no  records  of  its  breeding 
within  our  borders.  While  the  others  are  more  frequently 
seen  on  the  lakes  and  larger  streams,  this  is  a  river 
duck  as  far  as  its  habits  and  routes  of  migration  are  con- 
cerned. I  have  never  seen  it  except  on  the  smaller  streams 
and  ponds.  It  visits  the  Oberlin  water-works  reservoir 
during  the  spring,  with  the  hosts  of  other  ducks,  but  always 
keeps  to  itself  while  resting  and  feeding.  The  conspicuous 
"hood"  with  the  large  white  patch  in  its  center,  furnishes  a 
mark  for  certain  identification  of  the  breeding  males. 

The  Hooded  Merganser  passes  Oberlin  about  the  middle 
of  April.  It  is  seldom  seen  during  more  than  a  week  all 
together. 

Subfamily  ANATIN^E.     River   Ducks. 

This  subfamily  is  represented  by  an  even  dozen  species 
and  subspecies  in  Ohio,  two  of  which  are  accidental  in  the 
state.  The  River  Ducks  are  dabblers  in  shallow  water, 
turning  tail  up  and  immersing  only  the  head,  neck,  and  fore 
part  of  the  body  when  feeding.  It  does  not,  therefore, 
follow  that  they  never  dive,  for  they  often  do.  The  food 
of  this  group  is  largely  vegetable,  both  aquatic  and  non- 
aquatic;  weed  seeds  comprise  a  good  part.  The  flesh 


ANSERES.  37 

of  all  is  considered  a  great  delicacy.  The  birds  do  not  feed 
entirely  in  the  water,  but  may  often  be  found  on  the  land, 
especially  during  the  summer  months. 

27.  (132.)     ANAS  BOSCHAS    Linn.     247. 

Mallard. 

Synonyms:     Anas  domestica. 

Kirtland,  Preliminary  Report,  Ohio  Geol.  Surv.,  1838,  67. 

The  Mallard  is  locally  common  during  the  migrations, 
but  it  is  almost  absent  from  many  localities.  It  breeds  irreg- 
ularly from  the  southern  border  of  the  state  at  least  to  Co- 
lumbus, and  seems  rather  more  common  as  a  summer  resi- 
dent in  the  northern  half,  but  is  very  local  in  its  summer  dis- 
tribution anywhere  in  the  state.  It  is  seldom  that  anything 
but  small  flocks  are  seen  in  the  migrations.  At  the  lakes 
and  marshes  they  may  be  found  in  greater  numbers  to- 
gether. It  is  probably  true  that  males  of  this  species  may  be 
found  during  the  summer  much  farther  south  and  in  many 
localities  in  the  state  where  there  are  no  breeding  females. 
The  males  are  wanderers  and  apparently  have  no  care  for 
the  brood. 

The  migrations  of  the  Mallard  begin  during  the  first 
week  in  March,  at  Oberlin,  and  continue  well  toward  the 
close  of  the  month.  Individuals  that  were  clearly  migrating 
have  been  seen  as  late  as  the  middle  of  April.  The  south- 
ward migrations  are  at  their  height  about  the  middle  of 
November,  but  vary  with  the  weather. 

28.  (133.)     ANAS  OBSCURA   Gmel.    248. 

Black  Duck. 

Synonym:     Dusky  Duck. 

Kirtland,  Preliminary  Report,  Ohio  Geol.  Surv.,  1838,  67. 

The  recent  division  of  this  species  into  two  forms  makes  it 
doubtful  what  the  status  of  the  two  forms  for  Ohio  is.  An 
examination  of  skins  in  two  collections  indicates  that  this 
form  is  the  less  common  in  Ohio. 

Dr.  Wheaton  regarded  the  Black  Duck  as  a  casual  sum- 


38  BIRDS  OF  OHIO. 

mer  resident  in  the  northern  parts  of  the  state,  but  I  find  no 
corroborative  evidence  to  that  effect.  It  is  more  often  seen 
in  pairs  or  singly  than  the  Mallard,  and  appears  to  be  less 
wary,  frequenting  small  ponds  and  streams  which  the  Mal- 
lard avoids. 

The  migrations  occur  at  the  same  time  as  the  Mallard, 
with  possibly  a  little  earlier  return  in  the  autumn. 

29.  (133a.)     ANAS  OBSCURA  RUBRIPES  Brewst. 

Red-legged  Black  Duck. 

Henninger,  Wilson  Bulletin,  No.  41,  1902,  page  134. 

The  recent  addition  of  this  subspecies  to  our  fauna  makes 
any  statement  about  its  range  in  the  state  of  little  value.  It 
seems  likely  to  be  found  not  uncommon  during  the  migra- 
tions, probably  in  company  with  the  Black  Duck.  Collec- 
tions seem  to  indicate  that  this  is  the  more  common  form  for 
Ohio,  if  it  does  not  prove  to  be  the  regular  migrant  to  the 
almost  exclusion  of  the  other  form.  Ohio  collections  con- 
tain both  forms. 

30.  (135.)     CHAULELASMUS  STREPERUS   (Linn.).     249. 

Gadwall. 
Synonyms:     Anas  strepera. 

Gray  Duck. 
Kirtland,  Ohio  Geol.  Surv.,  1838,  166,  186. 

The  Gadwall  appears  to  be  rare  as  a  migrant.  Reports 
are  not  only  few  but  generally  unsatisfactory.  It  is  cer- 
tainly among  the  disappearing  ducks  in  Lorain  county. 
Prior  to  1885  it  was  one  of  the  market  ducks  on  the  lake 
shore,  but  it  is  not  seen  there  now.  I  have  no  migration 
records  that  will  give  any  idea  of  the  movements  of  this 
species. 

31.  (137.)     MARECA  AMERICANA  (Gmel.).     251. 

Baldpate. 

Synonyms:     Anas  americana. 

American  Widgeon. 
Kirtland,  Preliminary  Report,  Ohio  Geol.  Surv.,  1838,  67. 


ANSERES.  39 

This  once  abundant  duck  is  now  common  only  locally  and 
there  only  occasionally.  It  has  become  wary  and  hard  to  ap- 
proach. In  Lorain  county  I  have  seen  only  single  individ- 
uals and  two  together,  and  they  on  the  smaller  unfrequent- 
ed ponds.  Lately  several  have  formed  the  habit  of  visiting 
our  water-works  reservoir,  in  spite  of  the  fact  that  it  lies 
well  within  the  town.  If  it  breeds  within  the  state  now  there 
is  no  mention  of  that  fact  in  the  reports  received.  Dr.  Lang- 
don  mentions  its  breeding  in  Ottawa  county. 

Migration  dates  for  the  spring  movements  fall  within 
the  third  week  of  March  for  southern  Ohio,  but  almost  a 
month  later  for  Oberlin.  The  southward  movement  occurs 
late  in  October. 

32.  (139).     NETTION  CAROLINENSIS   (Gmel.).     254. 

Green-winged  Teal. 

Synonyms:     Anas  carolinensis ,   Querquedula  carolinensis. 

American  Green-winged  Teal. 
Audubon,  Orn.  Biog.,  Ill,  1835,  219. 

This  teal  is  reported  as  a  common  migrant  across  the 
state.  It  is  the  earlier  of  the  two  teals,  arriving  with  the 
Mallards  and  other  early  ducks.  I  have  seen  several  indi- 
viduals of  this  species  migrating  in  flocks  of  Mallards.  It 
has  not  yet  been  found  in  Lorain  county  during  my  studies 
anywhere  but  on  the  lake.  None  have  visited  orr  water- 
works reservoir. 

33.  (140.)     QUERQUEDULA  DISCORS   (Linn.).     253, 

Blue-winged  Teal. 

Synonyms:     Anas  discors. 

Kirtland,  Preliminary  Report  Ohio  Geol.  Surv.,  1838,  (>7. 

This  is  a  common  duck  locally  during  the  migrations,  but 
it  is  clearly  less  common  than  during  Dr.  Wheaton's  time. 
It  may  be  found  on  the  smaller  streams  and  ponds  as  well 
as  on  the  larger  rivers  and  lakes.  In  Lorain  county  I  have 
found  it  only  on  the  small  ponds  in  twos  and  threes  or 
singly.  Flocks  are  sometimes  seen  passing  northward. 


40  BIRDS  OF  OHIO. 

The  spring  migrations  are  late  for  a  duck,  occurring  dur- 
ing late  April,  and  the  fall  migrations  in  October. 

Dr.  Langdon  found  it  breeding  in  Ottawa  county  years 
ago,  but  there  are  no  recent  records  of  its  nesting  there. 

34.  (142.)     SPATULA  CLYPEATA  (Linn.)     252. 

Shoveller. 

Synonyms:     Anas  clypeata. 
Spoon-bill,  Broad-bill. 

Kirtland,  Ohio  Geol.  Surv.,  1838,  166. 

From  a  "very  common  migrant"  this-  duck  has  become 
almost  rare  everywhere  in  the  state.  It  has  been  recorded 
less  than  a  dozen  times,  in  the  last  fifteen  years,  in  Lorain 
county,  and  then  either  singly  or  in  small  companies.  If  it 
once  nested  in  the  state  it  has  ceased  to  do  so.  Dr. 
Wheaton  inclined  to  the  belief  that  it  would  be  found  nest- 
ing in  the  northwestern  counties.  I  have  been  unable  to 
verify  this. 

It  may  be  found  during  March  and  as  late  as  December. 
Migration  dates  are  too  scattering  to  give  its  movements  ac- 
curately. 

35.  (143.)     DAFILA  ACUTA   (Linn.).     250. 

Pintail. 

Synonyms:     Anas  acuta. 

Spring-tail,   Sprig-tail. 
Kirtland,  Ohio  Geol.  Surv.,  1838,  166,  186. 

The  Pintail  appears  to  be  about  the  most  numerous  of  the 
ducks  sought  after  by  the  hunters.  It  is  seen  in  consider- 
able flocks  during  both  the  spring  and  autumn  migrations, 
and  not  infrequently  stops  on  the  smaller  ponds  and  streams. 
It  is  always  wary  and  hard  to  approach.  It  sometimes  re- 
mains all  winter  in  favorable  localities,  but  has  not  been 
known  to  breed. 

The  migrations  of  this  duck  begin  late  in  February  or 
early  in  March,  and  may  continue  until  the  first  week  in 
April  at  the  lake  shore.  It  comes  south  with  the  first  touch 


ANSERES.  41 

of  winter,  and  is  gone  from  the  northern  parts  of  the  state 
with  the  freezing  of  the  streams  and  ponds. 

36.  (144.)     Aix  SPONSA   (Linn.).     255. 

Wood  Duck. 

Synonyms:     Anas  sponsa. 

Summer  Duck,  Tree  Duck,  The  Bride. 
Audubon,  Orn.  Biog.,  Ill,  1835,  52. 

This  duck  breeds  throughout  the  state  in  favorable  local- 
ities. It  nests  in  the  woods  some  distance  from  water,  but 
must  have  feeding  places  within  reach  of  the  nest.  The 
young  are  said  to  be  carried  to  the  water  when  hatched. 
There  seems  to  be  little  difference  in  numbers  during  the 
migrations  from  those  during  summer.  It  can  hardly  be 
called  a  common  species,  yet  it  is  hardly  rare.  The  first 
birds  appear  at  Oberlin  about  the  middle  of  April  and  are 
gone  by  the  last  of  October. 

Subfamily  FULIGULIN^E.     Sea  and  Bay  Ducks. 

Fourteen  species  represent  this  family  in  our  state,  some 
of  them  being  rare.  The  members  of  this  group  dive  when 
feeding,  frequently  to  considerable  depths.  Their  food  con- 
sists of  the  seeds  and  roots  of  aquatic  plants,  mollusks, 
crustaceans,  and  some  fish  in  winter.  Some  members  of  the 
group  dive  as  readily  as  the  true  divers.  Most  of  the 
species  are  found  in  flocks  of  varying  size  during  the  mi- 
grations. 

37.  (146.)     AYTHYA  AMERICANA   (Eyt.).     260. 

Redhead. 

Synonyms:     JEthya  americana,  Fuligula  ferina  var.  americana, 

F.  ferina,  F.  americana. 
Pochard,  American  Pochard. 
Kirtland,  Preliminary  Report  Ohio  Geol.  Surv.,  1838,  67. 

The  Redhead  is  only  tolerably  common  as  a  migrant.  It 
visits  the  ponds  and  small  streams  as  well  as  the  larger 
bodies  of  water.  It  is  a  fairly  regular  visitor  to  the  Oberlin 
water-works  reservoir  both  spring  and  autumn. 


42  BIRDS  OF  OHIO. 

Its  migrations  cover  the  period  from  the  second  week  in 
March  to  the  second  week  in  April,  and  at  the  same  period 
in  October  and  November,  except  that  it  may  tarry  even  into 
December  in  favorable  years. 

38.  (147.)     AYTHYA  VALLISNERIA  (Wils.).    259. 

Canvas-back. 

Synonyms:     JEthya  vallisneria,   Fuligula  vallisneria,   Anas  val- 

lisneria. 

Canvas-back  Duck. 
Kirtland,  Ohio,  Geol.  Surv.,  1838,  166,  187. 

The  delight  of  the  epicure,  and  therefore  hunted  down  by 
every  market  hunter,  this  duck  has  become  scarce.  I  have 
seen  it  twice  in  Lorain  county  in  the  last  ten  years,  once 
when  it  visited  the  Oberlin  water-works  reservoir. 

It  appears  to  migrate  at  the  same  time  as  the  Redhead, 
but  migration  dates  are  too  few  to  make  any  positive  state- 
ments possible. 

39.  (148.)     AYTHYA  MARILA  Linn.     256. 

Greater  Scaup  Duck. 

Synonyms:     Fulix  marila,   Fuligula  marila,   Aythya  marila  ne- 

arctica. 
Greater    Black-head,    Big    Black-head,    Blue-bill,    Broad-bill, 

Raft-duck,  Flocking  Fowl,  Shuffler,  American  Scaup  Duck. 
Kirtland,  Ohio  Geol.  Surv.,  1838,  166,  187. 

In  my  experience  this  Scaup  Duck  is  about  one-fourth  as 
numerous  as  the  Lesser  Scaup ;  that  would  make  it  hardly 
common.  There  is  often  one  or  two  of  this  species  in  the 
flocks  of  Lesser  Scaups  which  visit  the  Oberlin  water- 
works reservoir  every  year.  There  is  no  evidence  that  this 
species  breeds  within  the  state.  The  birds  which  may  be 
found  on  the  reservoirs  during  the  summer,  while  they  may 
be  of  both  sexes,  are  not  breeding,  but  are  no  doubt  wound- 
ed birds  unable  to  migrate.  Their  bodily  condition  would 
make  breeding  out  of  the  question. 

The  migrations  are  rather  late,  occurring  late  in  March  or 
early  in  April,  and  continuing  for  two  or  three  weeks.  In 


ANSERES.  43 

the  autumn  they  begin  in  late  October  and  continue  well 
toward  the  close  of  November,  or  later  if  the  conditions  be 
favorable. 

40.  (149.)     AYTHYA  AFFINIS   (Eyt.).     25.       7 

Lesser  Scaup  Duck. 

Synonyms:     Fulix   affinis,   Fuligula  affinis. 

Lesser  Black-head,  Little  Black-head,  Little  Blue-bill. 
Audubon,  B.  Am.,  VI,  1843,  316. 

This  is  probably  the  most  familiar  duck  to  residents  of 
Ohio.  It  is  apparently  less  numerous  than  the  Pintail,  but 
is  far  less  wary  and  so  more  frequently  seen  by  the  casual 
bird  student  or  hunter.  It  seems  to  prefer  the  smaller 
waters,  and  is  a  regular  and  numerous  visitor  to  the  Oberlin 
water-works  reservoir.  It  is  a  rare  summer  resident 
in  Lorain  county,  and  has  been  reported  as  breeding  in 
Summit  county.  It  probably  breeds  sparingly  in  the  north- 
ern third  of  the  state.  Considerable  numbers  of  both  sexes 
of  this  species  were  found  during  the  summer  on  both  the 
Licking  and  Lewiston  reservoirs,  but  they  proved  to  be 
crippled  birds  and  were  not  breeding. 

The  migrations  begin  late  in  March  or  early  in  April, 
and  flocks  of  considerable  numbers  are  seen  at  Oberlin  as 
late  as  May  5th.  Their  return  is  dependent  in  large  measure 
upon  the  weather.  The  first  are  usually  seen  during  the  sec- 
ond week  in  October,  and  some  may  tarry  well  into  No- 
vember. 

41.  (150.)     AYTHYA  COLLARIS    (Donov.)-     258. 

Ring-necked  Duck. 

Synonyms:      Fulix    collaris,    Anas     collaris,    Fuligula    collaris, 
Fuligula  rufitorques. 

Ring-bill,  Ring-billed  Black-head,  Ring-necked  Scaup  Duck, 

Marsh  Blue-bill. 
Kirtland,  Ohio  Geol.  Surv.,  1838,  166,  186. 

This  duck  is  little  known,  and  is  reported  as  rare  through- 
out the  state.  Dr.  Wheaton  reported  it  as  abundant.  I 
have  found  it  but  once  in  Lorain  county,  and  that  once  on 


44  BIRDS   OF  OHIO. 

the  Oberlin  water-works  reservoir.  It-  appears  to  migrate 
with  the  other  members  of  its  genus,  but  there  is  no  evi- 
dence that  it  breeds  within  the  state. 

42.  (151.)     CLANGULA  CLANGULA  AMERICANA   (Bonap.). 

261. 
American  Golden-eye. 

Synonyms:     Clangula  glaucium  americana,  Bucephala  clangula, 
B.   americana,    Clangula   americana,    C.   glaucium,    Glau- 

cionetta  clangula  americana,  Fuligula  clangula. 
Golden-eyed  Duck,   Whistler,   Garrot,   Great-heaJ.    Whistle- 
wing. 
Kirtland,  Ohio  Geol.  Surv.,  1838,  166,  187. 

The  Golden-eye  is  hardly  common  regularly,  and  fre- 
quently rare.  It  sometimes  appears  in  considerable  numbers 
on  the  rivers  and  lakes,  and  may  sometimes  be  found  on 
the  larger  ponds.  It  may  remain  during  the  winter  in  fa- 
vorable localities  under  favorable  conditions.  It  has  not 
been  seen  on  Lake  Erie  during  the  entire  winter,  but  some- 
times remains  into  January.  It  does  not  breed  in  the  state. 

The  Golden-eye  is  one  of  the  earlier  migrants  in  spring 
and  later  in  autumn,  migrating  with  the  Mallard  and  Pin- 
tail. 

43.  (152.)     CLANGULA  ISLANDICA    (Gmel.).     — 

Barrow  Golden-eye. 

Synonyms:     Glaucionetta  islandica,  Anas  islandica. 

Rocky  Mountain  Garrot  or  Golden-eye. 
McCormick,  Auk,  1892,  397. 

If  one  could  judge  from  the  records,  this  is  an  almost  un- 
known bird  in  Ohio.  It  is  reported  from  Sandusky  Bay,  by 
Prof.  E.  L.  Moseley,  and  has  been  taken  twice  in  Lorain 
county,  once  by  Mr.  L.  M.  McCormick  (see  above  refer- 
ence) and  once  by  the  writer,  on  the  Oberlin  water- works 
reservoir.  It  should  be  found  during  the  winter  on  the 
waters  of  the  northern  part  of  the  state. 


ANSERES.  45 

44.     (153.)     CHARITONETTA  ALBEOLA    (Linn.).     262. 
Buffle-head. 

Synonyms:      Clangula   albeola,   Bucephala   albeola,   Fuligula   al- 

beola,  Anas  albeola. 

Buffle-headed  Duck,  Butter  Duck,  Butter-ball,  Dipper,  Spir- 
it Duck,  Dipper  Duck,  Butter-box,  Hell-diver. 

Kirtland,  Ohio  Geol.  Surv.,  1838,  166,  187. 

The  little  Buffle-head  is  common  during  the  migrations, 
both  spring  and  autumn.  It  visits  the  smaller  lakes  and 
ponds,  where  it  is  oftener  seen  than  on  larger  wateis.  It  is 
not  wary,  trusting  to  its  agility  in  diving  for  protection. 
There  is  no  likelihood  that  it  breeds  within  the  state,  but  it 
may  remain  all  winter  in  suitable  localities  well  south. 

Its  migrations  occupy  the  last  week  in  March  and  the 
first  two  weeks  in  April.  It  appears  to  be  less  common 
during  its  southward  migration,  which  begins  early  in  Octo- 
ber and  continues  well  into  November,  or  later. 

45.     (154.)     HARELDA  HYEMALIS  (Linn.).    263. 
Old-squaw. 

Synonyms:    Harelda  glacialis,  Anas  glacialis,  A.  hyemalis,  Clan- 
gula hiemalis,  C.  hyemalis. 
Long-tailed   Duck,    Old-wife,    South-southerly. 

Wheaton,  Ohio  Agri.  Report,  1860,  370,  378. 

This  is  a  winter  duck,  sometimes  passing  to  the  south- 
ern border  of  the  state.  It  is  not  at  all  regular  even  in  the 
northern  part,  and  does  not  appear  to  be  governed  wholly 
by  weather  conditions.  During  some  winters  it  is  decidedly 
numerous  anywhere  on  the  lake  front,  and  may  venture  well 
inland  upon  the  smaller  lakes  and  reservoirs,  to  the  Ohio 
river,  and  several  winters  may  pass  without  another  visita- 
tion. Specimens  have  been  taken  from  the  gill  nets  off  Lo- 
rain  in  five  fathoms  of  water  where  they  had  dived  for  fish 
and  became  tangled  in  the  nets  and  drowned.  Several 
spent  the  winter  of  1901-02  on  the  lake  shore  in  Lorain 
county. 


46  BIRDS  OF  OHIO. 

46.  (160.)     SOMATERIA  DRESSERI  Sharpe.     — . 

American  Eider. 

Synonyms:     Somateria  mollissima  dressed. 
Davie,  Nests  and  Eggs  of  N.  Am.  Birds,  1898,  92. 

The  specimen  here  reported  by  Mr.  Davie  was  captured  at 
the  Licking  reservoir,  November  11,  1895,  by  Mr.  William 
Harlow.  Ine  specimen  is  a  female  and  is  preserved  in  the 
private  collection  of  Mr.  Davie. 

The  fact  that  this  species  has  been  found  a  number  of 
times  well  inland  makes  it  necessary  to  regard  it  a  cas- 
ual rather  than  an  accidental  visitor  to  the  state. 

47.  (162).     SOMATERIA  SPECTABILIS   (Linn.).     264. 

King  Eider. 

Synonyms:     Anas  spectabilis. 
Wheaton,  Ohio  Agri.  Report,  1860,  370,  378. 

I  have  been  unable  to  find  any  later  records  for  the  oc- 
currence of  this  species  in  Ohio  than  those  given  by  Dr. 
Wheaton  in  his  catalogue  of  1882,  535.  They  are:  An 
immature  bird  taken  at  Sandusky  bay  (?),  by  Dr.  Lang- 
don  during  the  winter  of  1877-8 ;  one  found  in  the  Colum- 
bus market,  November  4,  1880,  by  Dr.  Wheaton ;  and  the 
statement  that  a  specimen  was  taken  at  Sandusky  bay  and 
one  at  Cleveland  "many  years  since,"  on  the  authority  of 
Mr.  R.  K.  Winslow. 

48.  (163).     OIDEMIA  AMERICANA  Swains.     265. 

American   Scoter. 

Synonyms:     CEdemia  americana. 

American  Black  Scoter,   Sea  Coot,  Butter-billed  Coot,   Hol- 
low-billed Coot. 

Merriam,  Trans.  Conn.  Acad.,  IV,  1877,  127. 

There  seem  to  be  four  records  of  the  occurrence  of  this 
species  in  the  state.  Licking  reservoir,  December,  1876, 
in  Dr.  Theodore  Jasper's  collection  in  Columbus ;  taken  on 
Portage  river  by  Mr.  R.  K.  Winslow ;  one  taken  from  a 
flock  of  three  on  Lake  Erie,  by  Mr.  H.  E.  Chubb;  Alum 


ANSERES.  47 

Creek,   Columbus,  December  3,   1895,  in  the  collection  of 
Oliver  Davie,  Columbus. 

It  seems  pretty  clear  that  this  is  a  casual  winter  visitor. 

49.  (165.)     OIDEMIA  DEGLANDI  Bonap.     266. 

White-winged  Scoter. 

Synonyms:     Melanetta  velvetina,  GEdemia  fusca  (var.?)  velvet- 

ina,   CEdemina  fusca. 

Velvet     Scoter,     White-winged     Surf    Duck,     White-winged 
Coot,  Black  Surf  Duck,  Velvet  Duck,  Sea  Coot 

Wheaton,  Ohio  Agri.  Report,  1860,  370,  378. 

Dr.  Wheaton  states  that  Mr.  R.  K.  Winslow  recorded  the 
occurence  of  this  duck  at  Cleveland  and  Sandusky  bay. 
The  records  which  are  based  upon  specimens  captured  are : 
one  taken  on  the  Scioto  river  near  Columbus,  and  an  im- 
mature bird  taken  at  the  Licking  reservoir  in  December,. 
1876,  both  specimens  having  been  examined  by  Dr.  Whea- 
ton. There  are  two  specimens  in  the  Oberlin  College  col- 
lection, one  taken  April  27,  the  other  May  3,  1892,  by 
Harry  Warden,  of  Lorain.  These  specimens  wrre  taken 
at  Lorain. 

One  might  judge  from  these  records  that  this  scoter  is  a 
rare  migrant  across  the  state,  or  possibly  a  winter  visitor. 
It  is  rare  at  any  rate. 

50.  (167).     ERISMATURA  JAMAICENSIS  (Gmel.).      267, 

Ruddy  Duck. 

Synonyms:      Erismatura  rubida,   Fuligula  rubida,   Anas   rubida. 

Black  Jack,  Bristle- tail,  Fool  Duck. 
Kirtland,  Ohio  Geol.  Surv.,  1838,  166,  186. 

My  experience  with  this  small  duck  proves  that  at  Ober- 
lin it  is  almost  as  numerous  as  the  Bufflehead  on  the  water- 
works reservoir.  It  is  seen  there  regularly  every  spring  and 
autumn  in  twos  and  fours,  rarely  more,  and  is  even  less  wary 
than  the  Bufflehead.  There  is  no  evidence  of  the  breeding 
of  this  species  in  the  state.  It  is  reported  as  not  common 
by  most  observers.  It  is  probably  somewhat  local  in  its  dis- 
tribution. 


48  BIRDS  OF  OHIO. 

They  reach  Oberlin  about  the  middle  of  April  and  may 
linger  until  the  10th  of  May.  The  return  is  early  in  Octo- 
ber and  some  remain  a  month  or  six  weeks. 

Subfamily  ANSERINE.     Geese. 

There  are  six  species  of  geese  in  the  state,  none  of  them 
really  common  now,  none  of  them  breeding  here.  They  are 
much  more  terrestrial  than  any  of  the  ducks,  feeding  upon 
grains  and  the  green  herbage.  In  the  water  they  feed  like 
river  ducks  (by  tipping  up,  searching  the  bottom  of  a  shal- 
low pool  for  the  roots  and  fruit  of  aquatic  plants).  They  fly 
in  regular  order  with  a  leader. 

51.  (169.)     CHEN  HYPERBOREA   (Pall.).     243    (part). 

Lesser  Snow  Goose. 

Synonyms:     Chen  hyperboreus,  Anser  hyperboreus,  Chen  hyper- 
boreus albatus. 
Alaska  Goose,  White  Brant. 

There  is  no  published  record  of  this  species  as  an  Ohio 
bird.  Reports  give  it  as  rare  in  Allen,  Erie,  Hamilton,  and 
Perry  counties.  Everywhere  it  is  reported  as  rare,  and  as 
usually  occurring  in  company  with  the  other  species. 

52.  (169a.)     CHEN  HYPERBOREA  NIVALIS    (Forst.).     243 

(part). 
=  .  Greater  Snow  Goose. 

Synonyms:      Chen  hyperboreus    Anser  nivalis,  A.  hyperboreus. 

Snow  Goose,  Alaska  Goose,  White  Brant. 
Kirtland,  Ohio  Geol.  Surv.,  1838,  166,  186. 

This  larger  species  seems  to  be  no  more  common  than 
the  last.  It  is  reported  from  Scioto,  Pike,  Perry,  Hamilton, 
and  Erie  counties.  These  Snow  Geese  are  too  conspicuous- 
ly different  from  the  other  geese  to  make  any  mistake  of 
identification  possible.  It  is  very  desirable  that  specimens 
in  the  collections  be  critically  examined  to  determine  the 
status  of  each  form. 


ANSERES.  49 

53.  (169.1.)     CHEN  C^RULESCENS    (Linn.).     24:2. 

Blue  Goose. 

Synonyms:     Anser  caerulescens. 

Blue  Snow  Goose. 
Wheaton,  Ohio  Agri.  Report,  1874,  574. 

This  peculiarly  colored  goose  is  not  so  rare  as  was  sup- 
posed before  Dr.  Wheaton's  catalogue  called  attention  to  it. 
It  is  not  a  regular  visitor  to  any  locality,  but  may  be  found 
anywhere  in  the  state  where  there  is  water  sufficient  to  sus- 
tain aquatic  life  and  afford  feeding  grounds.  Two  were 
captured  on  the  Oberlin  water-works  reservoir,  October  28, 
1896.  It  is  a  migrant  across  the  state,  the  most  of  the  rec- 
ords falling  in  October. 

54.  (171a.)     ANSER  ALBIFRONS  GAMBELI  (Hartl.).    244. 

American  White-fronted  Goose. 

Synonyms:     Anser  albifrons,  A.  gambelii. 

Laughing  Goose,  Gray  Brant,  Speckle-belly. 
Kirtland,  Ohio  Geol.  Surv.,  1838,  166,  186. 

This  goose  is  rare  as  a  migrant  across  the  state,  but  is  re- 
ported as  a  rare  winter  resident  in  Hamilton  county.  Mr. 
Ridgway  states  that  it  frequents  open  fields  and  feeds  upon 
the  scattered  grain  and  tender  blades  of  growing  grain. 
Little  seems  to  be  known  of  it  as  a  bird  of  Ohio. 

55.  (172.)     BRANTA  CANADENSIS  (Linn.).     245. 

Canada  Goose. 

Synonyms:     Bernicla  canadensis,   Anser  canadensis. 

Wild  Goose,   Common  Wild  Goose. 
Audubon,  Orn.  Biog.  Ill,  1835,  1. 

This  is  the  "Wild  Goose"  of  the  popular  mind.  In  the 
vicinity  of  Oberlin  it  is  not  at  all  common  as  a  migrant. 
Usually  the  season's  records  include  one  large  flock  during 
each  migrating  period,  and  possibly  a  single  individual  or 
two.  It  is  resident  all  winter  in  southern  Ohio,  where  it  re- 
mains from  November  until  April.  It  feeds  in  the  open 
fields  rather  than  in  the  water,  being  very  much  of  a  vege- 


50  BIRDS   OF  OHIO. 

tarian.  This  goose  may  be  domesticated  with  little  difficulty, 
but  measures  should  be  taken  to  prevent  its  migration 
when  the  season  approaches. 

The  migrations  are  not  regular,  but  may  begin  late  in 
February  and  continue  well  into  April.  Few  or  none  are 
seen  in  autumn  before  the  first  touch  of  winter  drives  them 
south. 

56.     (172a.)     BRANTA   CANADENSIS   HUTCHINSII    (Rich.). 


Hutchins  Goose. 

Synonyms:     Bernicla   hutchinsii,   B.   canadensis   hutchinsii,   An- 

ser  hutchinsii. 
Lesser  Canada  Goose,  Little  Wild  Goose. 

Wheaton,  Ohio  Agri.  Report,  1860,  370,  378. 

Dr.  Wheaton  admitted  this  species  to  his  list  on  the  au- 
thority of  Mr.  R.  K.  Winslow,  who  stated  that  several  speci- 
mens had  been  taken  in  Sandusky  bay.  No  specimens  seem 
to  have  been  preserved.  A  live  specimen  in  the  possession 
of  Mr.  William  Harlow,  of  Millersport,  on  Licking  reser- 
voir, has  been  carefully  examined  by  Mr.  W.  L.  Dawson, 
and  proves  to  belong  to  this  form.  It  was  captured  in  the 
wild  state  and  has  been  domesticated  by  Mr.  Harlow. 

Subfamily  CYGNIN^E.     Swans. 

Two  species  of  swans  are  found  in  the  state,  both  of  them 
during  the  migrations  only.  They  are  seldom  seen,  except 
when  the  weather  conditions  force  them  near  the  ground  in 
their  migrations,  when  flocks  may  be  noticed  during  the 
northward  movement.  Such  large  birds,  with  such  long 
slender  necks,  could  not  be  expected  to  dive  for  food.  They 
are  not  so  undignified  as  to  tip  up,  but  simply  immerse  the 
head  and  neck  to  glean  from  the  surface  of  the  mud  bottom. 
Their  food  is  almost  wholly  vegetation,  but  some  mollusks 
seem  to  be  eaten  sometimes. 


HERODIONES.  51 

57.  (180.)     OLOR  COLUMBIANUS   (Ord.).     240. 

Whistling   Swan. 

Synonyms:     Olor  americanus,  Cygnus  americanus,  C.  musicus, 

C.  columbianus ,  Anas  columbianus. 
Common  American  Swan,  American  Whistling  Swan. 
Kirtland,  Ohio  Geol.  Surv.,  1838,  166,  187. 

During  the  spring  of  1899  this  swan  was  numerous  in 
Lorain  county  where  many  were  killed  by  hunters.  It  is  a 
rare  migrant  in  the  state,  seldom  being  seen  in  its  passage 
unless  stopped  by  stormy  weather.  Migration  records  are 
wanting. 

58.  (181.)     OLOR  BUCCINATOR  (Rich.).    241. 

Trumpeter  Swan. 
Synonyms:     Cygnus  buccinnator. 

Wheaton,  Ohio  Agri.  Report,   1860,  369,  378;   Reprint,  1861,  11, 
20. 

The  Trumpeter  Swan  is  even  less  numerous  than  the 
Whistling,  but  passes  across  the  state  in  its  migrations.  It 
has  been  taken  on  Lake  Erie  several  times  within  the  past 
ten  years.  Very  little  seems  to  be  known  of  it  as  an  Ohio 
bird.  This  swan  may  remain  in  the  state  during  the  winter. 

ORDER  HERODIONES.     Bitterns,  Herons, 
Storks,  Ibises,  Egrets. 

SUBORDER  CICONDE.     Wood  Ibis. 
Family  CICONIID^:.     Wood  Ibis. 

The  single  species  comprising  this  family  rarely  wanders 
to  the  southern  part  of  the  state. 

59.  (188.)     TANTALUS  LOCULATOR  Linn.     192. 

Wood  Ibis. 

Synonyms:     American  Wood  Stork,  Colorado  Turkey,  "Gannet," 

"Water  Turkey." 
Wheaton,  Reprint,  Ohio  Agri.  Report,  1861,  21. 

Apparently  the  only  absolutely  unquestionable  record  of 


52  BIRDS  OF  OHIO. 

this  bird's  occurrence  in  Ohio  is  that  of  Mr.  H,  E.  Chubb, 
of  Cleveland,  who  mounted  a  young  male  which  was  cap- 
tured ten  miles  west  of  Cleveland.  Dr.  Langdon's  inferen- 
tial record  should  not  be  omitted.  Specimens  captured  on 
the  Whitewater  river  in  Indiana  very  likely  followed  that 
river  to  its  junction  with  the  Big  Miami  and  so  into  Ohio. 

SUBORDER  HERODII.    Bitterns,  Herons,  Egrets. 

Family  ARDEID^E.     Bitterns,  Herons,  Egrets. 

Subfamily  BOTAURIN^E.     Bitterns. 

All  the  species  comprising  this  group  are  found  in  the 
state.  They  are  strictly  swamp  haunters,  feeding  and  nesting 
there.  They  usually  stand  quietly  and  wait  for  the  prey  to 
come  within  striking  distance,  when  they  strike  it  with  the 
strong,  sharp-pointed  bill.  I  have  seen  them  pursue  the 
frog  or  fish  or  tadpole.  Apparently  they  eat  any  small  ani- 
mal which  comes  in  their  way  in  the  swamps,  except 
birds. 

60.     (190.)     BOTAURUS  LENTIGINOSUS  (Montag.).     190. 
American  Bittern. 

Synonyms:     Botaurus  minor,  Ardea  minor,  A.  lentiginosus. 

Bittern,  Indian  Hen,  Stake  Driver,  Bog-bull,  Thunder  Pump, 
Kirtland,  Ohio  Geol.  Surv.,  1838,  165. 

The  Bittern  will  not  be  known  to  those  who  do  not  go 
into  the  marshes  and  swamps.  It  is  seldom  seen  on  running 
streams,  preferring  the  unfrequented  swamps  and  bogs, 
feeding  in  the  stagnant  pools  among  the  reeds  and  brush. 
.It  is  reported  as  fairly  common  over  the  state,  but  will  be 
absent  from  places  lacking  swampy  ground,  and  therefore 
must  be  considered  local  in  its  distribution  in  summer.  It 
is  more  frequently  seen  during  the  migrations  than  at  any 
other  time.  While  visiting  in  Medina  in  May,  1901,  while 
out  with  a  party  of  bird  students  on  a  wet  morning,  we  saw 
a  Bittern  in  an  orchard  in  the  heart  of  the  residence  district 
of  the  village.  It  permitted  an  approach  within  a  rod,  and 


HERODIONES.  53 

even  then  merely  hopped  into  the  foliage  a  little  closer. 
Later  I  learned  that  we  failed  to  see  the  young  bird  which 
was  crouching  in  the  grass.  This  bird  is  a  summer  resident, 
probably  breeding  throughout  the  state  wherever  suitable 
places  may  be  found. 

The  first  reach  Oberlin  late  in  March  or  early  in  April, 
and  the  last  return  south  late  in  October. 

61.     (191.)     ARDETTA  EXILIS  (Gmel.).     191. 
Least  Bittern. 

Synonyms:     Ardea  exilis. 

Kirtland,  Ohio  Geol.  Surv.,  1838,  165. 

This  little  bittern  is  more  local  in  its  distribution  than  the 
last  species.  At  the  Licking  reservoir  it  was  the  most 
numerous  of  the  swamp  haunting  birds,  but  we  were  unable 
to  find  one  at  the  Lewiston  reservoir.  It  nests  in  the  San- 
dusky  bay  swamps,  and  a  pair  has  usually  been  found  at 
the  Oak  Point  swamps.  Elsewhere  I  have  no  knowledge  of 
it.  The  birds  are  so  reluctant  to  leave  their  reedy  retreats 
that  it  is  no  wonder  few  are  seen  by  any  but  the  ardent  orni- 
thologist. It  is  likely  that  this  bittern  breeds  locally  through- 
out the  state,  but  the  reports  are  not  positive  on  that  point. 

The  migrations  are  late  in  April  or  early  in  May,  and  the 
last  return  south  by  the  middle  of  September. 


Subfamily  ARDEiNyfi.     Herons  and  Egrets. 

Six  species  of  this  group  are  found  in  Ohio.  All  of  them 
are  wading  birds  and  therefore  feed  in  shallow  water.  They 
choose  more  open  water  than  the  bitterns,  trusting  more  to 
watchfulness  and  stalking  for  their  food.  Their  nests  are 
built  in  trees  or  bushes  instead  of  in  the  rushes,  and  the 
birds  are  found  among  the  trees.  Their  colors  do  not  blend 
so  perfectly  with  their  surroundings.  Their  food  is  much 
the  same  as  that  of  the  bitterns. 


54  BIRDS  OF  OHIO. 

62.  (194.)     ARDEA  HERODIAS  Linn.     185. 

Great  Blue  Heron. 
Synonyms:     Blue  Crane. 
Kirtland,  Ohio  Geol.  Surv.,  1838,  165. 

This,  the  largest  of  our  herons,  is  being  jostled  about  at 
an  alarming  rate  as  its  wooded  retreats  disappear.  It  is  a 
summer  resident  in  all  parts  of  the  state,  but  the  large 
heronries  once  accommodating  great  numbers  of  pairs  are 
either  greatly  reduced  or  wholly  destroyed.  I  have  reports 
of  a  great  heronry  at  Richmond,  and  another,  already  re- 
duced to  half  its  former  size,  -some  eight  miles  southeast  of 
Jefferson.  The  water  is  being  drained  off  and  the  trees 
made  into  lumber,  and  the  birds  must  go.  In  Lorain  county 
half  a  dozen  pairs  nest  each  year,  but  there  is  no  apparent 
increase  in  numbers  from  year  to  year.  Their  nesting  re- 
treats have  not  yet  been  discovered,  so  they  are  likely  to  re- 
main in  peace  for  some  time. 

Unlike  the  bitterns,  the  herons  prefer  either  running  water 
or  stagnant  water  free  from  much  growing  vegetation.  The 
Great  Blue  feeds  mostly  from  the  fish  nets  in  Lake  Erie, 
taking  the  fish  out  of  the  "pounds."  Batrachians  are  cap- 
tured in  the  streams  and  ponds,  and  some  grasshoppers  are 
used  to  vary  the  diet. 

The  first  reach  Oberlin  about  March  20th,  and  the  last 
return  south  about  the  middle  of  October. 

63.  (196.)     HERODIAS  EGRETTA   (Gmel.).     186. 

American  Egret. 

Synonyms:     Herodias  alba  egretta,  Ardea  egretta. 

Great  White  Egret,  Great  White  Heron,  White  Crane. 
Kirtland,  Ohio  Geol.  Surv.,  1838,  165,  185. 

Dr.  Wheaton  wrote  of  this  heron,  "Rather  common  vis- 
itor in  July,  August,  and  September."  It  is  now  not  only 
not  common,  but  any  record  is  counted  worthy  of  special 
mention.  Specimens  have  been  taken  in  Erie,  Lonun,  Cuya- 
hoga,  and  Ashtabula  counties  in  recent  years,  besides  the 
numerous  records  from  counties  farther  south.  Dr.  Whea- 


HERODIONES.  5£ 

ton  knew  of  no  breeding  records,  but  spoke  of  seeing  young 
birds.  His  statements  seem  to  indicate  that  he  regarded  the 
occurrence  of  this  heron  in  Ohio  as  the  result  of  a  northward 
migration  after  the  breeding  season.  I  have  been  unable  to 
find  any  actual  breeding  records.  One  of  the  two  Lorain 
county  specimens,  taken  by  Mr.  R.  E.  Jump,  near  Oberlin, 
was  found  during  the  spring.  The  majority  of  occurrences 
seem  to  fall  in  July  and  August. 

64.  (197.)     EGRETTA  CANDIDISSIMA   (Gmel.).     187. 

Snowy  Heron. 

Synonyms:     Garzetta  candidissima,  Ardea  candidissima. 

Little  White  Egret. 
Wheaton,  Ohio  Agri.  Report,  1860,  368,  377. 

The  occurrence  of  this  heron  in  the  state  nearly  duplicates 
that  just  given  for  the  American  Egret.  While  every  record 
is  regarded  as  practically  accidental  for  that  county  in  which 
the  record  falls,  it  is  significant  that  the  records  cover  prac- 
tically all  of  the  state  except  the  extreme  northwestern  and 
extreme  southeastern  parts.  On  the  lake  shore,  Erie,  Lo- 
rain, Lake,  Ashtabula ;  inland,  Licking,  Hardin,  Defiance ; 
and  Hamilton  on  the  southwestern  border  are  certainly  rep- 
resentative of  the  whole  state.  With  our  present  knowledge 
of  this  bird  we  must  regard  it  as  rare  and  irregular  as  a 
summer  visitor. 

65.  (200.)     FLORIDA  C^ERULEA    (Linn.).     — . 

Little  Blue  Heron. 

Synonym:      Ardea  cserulea. 

Entered  as  hypothetical  by  Wheaton,  Reprint,  Ohio  Agri.  Re« 
port,  1861,  21,  and  also  in  his  1882  Catalogue.  Also  as  hypo- 
thetical by  Langdon,  Cat.  Birds  of  Cin.,  1877,  15.  The  first 
published  record  of  this  species  as  imquestionablv  a  bird  of 
Ohio  is  as  follows: 

McCormick,  L.  M.,  Auk,  X,  Oct.,  1892,  397.  Record  of  a  bird 
captured  near  Oberlin  by  Mr.  R.  E.  Jump,  about  1882. 

The  distribution  of  this  little  heron  in  Ohio  is  hardly  less 
irregular  than  that  of  the  two  egrets.  Since  the  publication 
of  the  Lorain  county  specimen  others  have  been  taken  in 


56  BIRDS  OF  OHIO. 

Hamilton  (Dury  and  C.  C.  Smith),  Morgan  (Morris  and 
Arrick),  where  it  was  found  breeding,  Ashtabula  (Sim), 
Perry  (DeLong),  Pike  (Henninger).  Reports  from  Colum- 
biana  and  Defiance  clearly  refer  to  the  Green  Heron.  The 
movements  of  this  heron  are  too  erratic  to  make  predictions 
of  its  probable  occurrence  worth  while. 

66.  (201.)     BUTORIDES  VIRESCENS  (Linn.).     188. 

Green  Heron. 

Synonyms:     Ardea  virescens. 

Fly-up-the-creek,  Shytepoke. 
Kirtland,  Ohio  Geol.  Surv.,  1838,  165. 

This  is  the  common  and  well-known  heron  in  Ohio.  It  is 
common  and  breeds  everywhere  in  the  state  where  there  is 
water  enough  to  furnish  food  and  trees  or  other  cover 
enough  to  hide  the  nest  and  young.  In  Lorain  county  it 
frequently  nests  in  orchards  bordering  swamps,  or  in  the 
thick  second  growth  on  a  hillside. 

The  Green  Heron  consumes  quantities  of  grasshoppers, 
and  probably  other  large  insects,  besides  its  diet  of  tadpoles 
and  water  insects,  and  small  batrachians.  It  is  too  useful 
to  be  persecuted  for  its  ungainly  carriage. 

The  first  reach  the  state  during  the  last  week  in  April, 
usually,  and  the  most  have  gone  south  by  the  first  of  Octo- 
ber, but  individuals  may  tarry  even  after  the  middle  of 
November  where  the  fishing  is  good. 

67.  (202.)     NYCTICORAX  NYCTICORAX  N^EVIUS.     (Bodd.). 

189. 

Black-crowned  Night  Heron. 

Synonyms:     Nyctiardea  grisea  var.  nsevia,  Ardea  discors,  Nycti- 

ardea  gardneri,  Ardea  nasvia. 

Night   Heron,    Quawk,    Squawk,    Qua-bird,    American    Night 
Heron,  Night  Raven. 
Kirtland,  Ohio  Geol.  Surv.,  1838,  165,  184. 

This  heron  is  locally  common  in  the  state,  but  seems  to 
be  absent  from  many  regions.  It  is  a  summer  resident 
wherever  it  is  found.  Its  semi-nocturnal  habifs  probably 


PALUDICOIJE.  57 

account  for  its  apparent  absence  from  many  places  where  it 
should  breed.  It  is  another  of  the  swamp  loving  birds,  nest- 
ing in  the  trees  and  bushes  which  grow  in  the  swamps  or  in 
wet  places. 

Migration  dates  are  lacking.  It  is  likely  that  it  winters 
in  some  favorable  places  in  the  state.  Observers  should  be 
on  the  lookout  for  it. 

ORDER  PALUDICOL^E.  Cranes,  Rails,  Coots,   Gallinules. 

SUBORDER  GRUES.     Cranes. 

Family  GRUHLE.     Cranes. 

All  three  of  the  North  American  cranes  have  been  found 
in  Ohio,  one  of  them  having  wandered  from  the  west.  In 
general  appearance  the  cranes  show  a  marked  resemblance 
to  the  herons,  but  the  space  in  front  of  the  eye  is  covered 
with  bristles  instead  of  being  bare.  While  migrating  they 
fly  in  long  files.  They  are  not  such  strict  marsh  haunters 
as  the  herons,  but  frequent  uplands  also.  They  are  omnivo- 
rous feeders,  often  swallowing  indigestible  matter  and  dis- 
gorging it  after  a  time.  Frogs,  lizards,  snakes,  field-mice 
and  probably  insects,  and  vegetable  food  are  eaten  with 
equal  relish  apparently. 

68.     (204.)     GRUS  AMERICANA  (Linn.).     238. 
Whooping  Crane. 

Synonyms:     Ardea  americana. 

White  Crane. 
Kirtland,  Ohio  Geol.  Surv.,  1838,  165. 

The  reports  of  the  occurrence  of  this  bird  come  from  the 
western  half  of  the  state,  where  it  appears  to  be  a  rare  mi- 
grant. 

I  find  no  dates  of  migration.  Judging  from  the  migrations 
in  Iowa  at  nearly  the  same  latitude,  they  should  be  seen 
passing  northward  in  a  long  thin  line  during  the  last  week 
in  March  and  the  first  week  in  April. 


58  BIRDS  OF  OHIO. 

69.     (206.)     GRUS  MEXICANA    (Mull.).    239. 
Sandhill  Crane. 

Synonyms:     Grus  canadensls,  Ardea  canadensis,  A.  moxicana. 

Brown    Crane,    Southern    Sandhill    Crane,    Common    Brown 

Crane. 
Wheaton,  Ohio  Agri.  Report,  1860,  370,  480. 

While  this  crane  is  by  no  means  common  it  is  rather  more 
r/amerous  than  the  preceding  species.  It  has  been  found 
breeding  at  Chicago  Junction,  and  near  Toledo.  The  eggs 
taken  at  Chicago  Junction  were  successfully  hatched  and 
the  young  reared  and  kept  in  captivity  until  their  natural 
death.  One  of  the  three  birds  of  this  lot  was  preserved  by 
Mr.  E.  E.  Masterman,  of  New  London,  and  is  now  in  the 
Oberlin  College  museum.  It  is  a  fine  large  bird  in  almost 
perfect  plumage. 

The  migrations  should  occur  at  the  same  time  as  those 
of  the  Whooping  Crane.  The  cranes  may  be  distinguished 
from  other  birds  in  flight  by  the  manner  of  flight.  After 
perhaps  ten  deliberate  wing  strokes  there  is  a  period 
of  soaring  flight  of  nearly  the  same  duration,  then 
another  beating  of  the  wings  followed  by  a  soaring, 
and  so  on.  When  the  birds  settle  too  close  to  the  ground 
in  this  straight-away  flight  they  circle  upward  by  means  of 
the  same  style  of  flight  as  when  going  straight  ahead.  At 
intervals  they  croak  in  concert,  creating  a  disturbance  that 
must  arrest  attention.  In  flight,  legs  and  neck  are  stretched 
out  at  full  length. 

SUBORDER  RALLI.     Rails,  Gallinules,  Coots. 
Family  RALLID.E. 

In. food  habits  the  species  comprising  this  family  agree  in 
general.  All  eat  seeds,  tender  vegetation,  worms,  insects, 
crustaceans,  mollusks,  and  with  these  some  rubbish.  The 
rails  and  gallinules  live  in  the  swamp  vegetation  very  largely 
while  the  coots  live  and  feed  more  in  the  open  water  and  are 
therefore  more  often  seen.  The  rails  are  averse  to  leaving 
the  cover  of  the  grass,  and  will  do  so  only  when  suddenly 


PALUDICOL^E.  59 

disturbed.  They  are  so  protectively  colored,  and  know  so 
well  how  to  assume  protective  attitudes,  that  they  have  small 
need  to  leave  their  covers. 

70.  (208.)     RALLUS  ELEGANS  Audi     231. 

King  Rail. 

Synonyms:     Fresh-water  Marsh  Hen,  Red-breasted  Rail. 
Wheaton,  Ohio  Agri.  Report,  1860,  369,  378. 

Inland  this  does  not  appear  to  be  a  common  bird,  but  in 
shallow  ponds  or  lagoons  near  the  lake  it  is  common.  It  is 
probably  a  summer  resident  wherever  it  occurs  in  the  state, 
nesting  in  the  marshes. 

It  reaches  Oberlin  about  the  first  of  May,  but  I  have  no 
records  for  the  southward  migration. 

71.  (212.)     RALLUS  VIRGINIANUS  Linn.     232. 

Virginia  Rail. 
Nuttall,  Man.  II,  1835,  205. 

This  is  probably  the  most  common  of  the  rails  along  the 
lake  front  where  it  is  found  in  every  marsh  of  any  extent, 
and  may  even  resort  to  wet  meadows  to  nest.  He  is  so  sly 
and  so  hard  to  flush  in  spring  that  few  but  those  who  are 
on  the  lookout  and  know  where  to  find  him  realize  his  pres- 
ence. The  nest-  is  generally  placed  on  a  hummock  formed 
by  the  roots  of  a  bush  or  tuft  of  grass  in  the  marsh,  often 
without  concealment.  In  movement  this  bird  resembles  a 
chicken,  just  as  the  King  Rail  resembles  a  hen.  It  is  less 
common  than  the  Sora  away  from  the  lake  marshes,  becom- 
ing even  rare  as  a  summer  resident  near  our  southern  bor- 
der. 

The  Virginia  Rail  reaches  Lorain  county  about  the  first  of 
May,  and  has  gone  south  by  the  middle  of  September. 

72.     (214.)     PORZANA   CAROLINA    (Linn.).     233. 
Sora. 

Synonyms:     Rallus  carolinus. 

Carolina  Rail,  Ortolan,  Crake,  Carolina  Crake,  Common  Rail. 
Kirtland,  Ohio  Geol.  Surv.,  1838,  165,  185. 


60  BIRDS   OF  OHIO. 

The  Sofa  is  a  fairly  common  inhabitant  of  the  marshes 
and  wet  meadows  wherever  they  occur  in  the  state.  It  ap- 
pears to  be  a  little  less  numerous  south  than  north.  It  fre- 
quently nests  in  wet  meadows  or  in  the  tall  grass  bordering 
ditches.  During  the  migrations  it  not  infrequently  strikes 
buildings  or  wires  or  other  obstructions,  and  is  either  killed 
or  hurt  or  dazed  and  is  brought  to  notice  more  frequently 
than  any  of  the  other  rails  in  this  way.  One  that  had  been 
injured  in  the  breast  was  found  in  the  court  of  Peters  Hall, 
Oberlin,  when  the  building  was  opened  in  the  morning. 
There  had  been  no  open  doors  or  windows,  nor  any  broken 
window  where  it  might  have  entered.  Its  appearance  there 
could  not  be  accounted  for  unless  it  had  squeezed  under  a 
door  in  the  basement. 

The  Sora  reaches  Oberlin  shortly  after  the  first  of  May, 
according  to  my  records.  It  probably  arrives  earlier  but  is 
unnoticed  at  first.  I  have  no  records  of  its  departure  south- 
ward, but  since  the  date  of  capture  of  the  one  mentioned 
above  was  October  23,  1896,  it  seems  likely  that  the  depart- 
ure is  not  far  from  that  date. 

73.     (215.)     PORZANA  NOVEBORACENSIS  (Gmel.).     234. 

Yellow  Rail. 
Synonyms:    Rallus    noveboracensis,    Fulica    noveboracensis. 

Yellow-breasted    Rail,    Upland    Rail,    Yellow    Crake,    Little 

Yellow  Rail. 
Kirtland,  Ohio  Geol.  Surv.,  1838,  165,  185. 

This  little  rail  is  reported  as  rare  in  the  six  *counties 
where  it  has  been  found.  There  is  good  reason  to  believe 
that  it  is  much  more  numerous  than  the  records  show,  be- 
cause it  is  both  so  small  and  so  hard  to  flush  from  its  reedy 
retreats  that  we  almost  never  see  it.  Systematic  search 
should  reveal  it  in  many  localities  where  it  has  never  been 
seen. 

I  can  find  no  records  of  nests  actually  found  within  the 
state,  but  the  dates  upon  which  many  specimens  have  been 
found  clearly  indicate  that  this  rail  breeds  in  the  northern 
part  of  the  state  at  least. 

*Ashtabula,  Cuyahoga,  Erie,  Hamilton,  Lorain,  Portage. 


PALUDICOIJE.  61 

74.  (216.)     PORZANA  JAMAICENSIS   (Gmel.).     — 

Black  Rail. 
Synonyms:     Rallus  jamaicensis. 

Little  Black  Rail,  Little  Black  Crake. 

Entered  as  hypothetical  by  Dr.  Wheaton  in  his  1882  Catalogue 
on  the  authority  of  Dr.  Langdon,  whose  record  was  also  hypo- 
thetical.   The  first  published  record  must  therefore  stand  as  fol- 
lows: 
Dury,  Charles,  Journal  Cin.  Soc.  Nat.  Hist.,  13,  July,  1890,  97. 

This  specimen,  one  of  two  seen,  was  captured  near  Car- 
thage, May  17,  1890,  at  Ross  Lake.  I  find  no  other  authen- 
tic record. 

75.  (218.)     IONORNIS  MARTINICA    (Linn.).     235. 

Purple  Gallinule. 

Synonyms:      Porphyrio    martinica,    Gallinula    martinica,    Fulica 

martinica. 
Wheaton,  Ohio  Agri.  Report,  1860,  369,  378,  hypothetical.     The 

first  unquestioned  record  seems  to  be  as  follows: 
Wheaton,  Bull.  Nut.  Orn.  Club,  II,  1877,  83.     Specimen  captured 

by  Dr.  Howard  E.  Jones,  at  Circleville,  May  10,  1877. 

The  first  specimen  captured  in  the  state  of  which  we  have 
any  record  seems  to  be  that  reported  to  Dr.  Wheaton.  "Dr. 
Hunt  informs  me  of  the  capture  of  this  species  near  the 
mouth  of  the  Big  Miami  river,  on  March  31,  1877."  "Two 
specimens  *  *  *  *  have  since  been  taken  at  Madisonville, 
one  by  the  writer  in  the  latter  part  of  April,  and  another 
by  Mr.  William  H.  Whetsel,  early  in  May.  Mr.  John  W. 
Shorten  also  reports  one  killed  May  1,  at  Jones'  Station 
(about  thirty  miles  from  Cincinnati),  by  J.  H.  Kelly,  Esq." 
(Wheaton.) 

Prof.  E.  L.  Moseley  reports  a  specimen  captured  at  San- 
dusky  bay,  April  28,  1896 ;  Dr.  Carl  Tuttle,  one  which  had 
flown  against  the  telegraph  wires  and  was  killed,  "along 
the  lake  shore,"  September  2,  1894  (Auk  XII,  191). 

No  other  records  than  these  have  come  to  my  knowledge. 


62  BIRDS  OF  OHIO. 

76.  (219.)     GALLINULA  GALEATA    (Linn.).     236. 

Florida  Gallinule. 

Synonyms:    Gallinula  chloropus,  Crex  galeata. 

Common  Gallinule,  Red-billed  Mud-hen. 
Kirtland,  Ohio  Geol.  Surv.,  1838,  165,  185. 

This  rather  conspicuous  swamp  bird  is  fairly  common 
over  the  entire  state  where  there  are  marshes  large  enough 
to  accommodate  it.  In  many  of  the  larger  swamps  it  is  al- 
most abundant.  At  Licking  reservoir  we  found  it  in  con- 
siderable numbers.  At  the  Sandusky  bay  marshes  it  is 
more  than  common.  I  have  not  found  it  at  the  small 
swamps  at  Oak  Point.  A  few  were  to  be  found  at  Lorain 
before  the  ship  yards  were  established  there.  It  does  not 
flush  readily  from  its  retreats,  but  makes  such  a  disturbance 
when  running  through  the  reeds  and  grasses  that  it  can 
readily  be  traced  by  sound.  In  the  vicinity  of  the  young 
it  is  possible  to  approach  within  studying  distance  of  the 
parents. 

They  first  reach  northern  Ohio  about  the  first  of  May, 
and  the  last  is  seen  about  the  middle  of  September. 

77.  (221.)     FULICA  AMERICANA  Gmel.     237. 

American  Coot. 

Synonyms:     Coot,   Mud-hen,   Crow  Duck,   White-billed   Mud-hen. 
Wheaton,  Ohio  Agri.  Report,  1860,  369. 

While  the  Coot  is  more  often  seen  than  the  Florida  Galli- 
nule by  the  casual  bird  student,  it  is  not  as  numerous  in 
individuals  in  the  state.  It  generally  visits  the  Oberlin 
water- works  reservoir  during  both  migrations,  and  may 
visit  the  open  water  and  ponds  in  the  vicinity  of  the  lake 
shore  at  such  times.  If  it  remains  all  winter  in  the  south- 
ern counties  it  does  so  rarely.  It  was  not  found  breeding 
at  either  the  Licking  or  Lewiston  reservoirs,  nor  at  Chippe- 
wa  lake,  but  one  bird  was  seen  by  me  at  the  Sandusky  bay 
swamps  in  July.  It  appears  to  breed  sparingly  in  our  most 
northern  marshes,  but  is  not  generally  common  in  summer. 

The  Coot  enters  the  state  late  in  March,  reaches  the  lake 


LIMICOL^E.  63 

shore  soon  after  the  first  of  April,  and  returns  south  again 
during  late  October. 

ORDER  LIMICOLJE.     Shore  Birds. 

The  Shore  Birds  very  largely  subsist  on  such  animal  food 
as  may  be  found  in  the  soft  mud  or  along  the  borders  of 
streams  and  ponds  or  on  the  shore  of  lake  or  ocean.  All  spe- 
cies found  in  Ohio  except  the  Plovers  probe  the  mud  for  the 
worms,  insects  and  their  larvae,  mollusks  and  other  small 
animals  found  there,  but  the  Plovers  glean  mostly  from  the 
surface  and  may  also  take  some  vegetable  matter.  They 
are  decidedly  useful  birds,  keeping  in  check  insects  which 
other  birds  would  not  destroy. 

Family  PHALAROPODID^:.     Phalaropes. 

Two  of  the  three  species  of  this  family  are  found  in  Ohio, 
and  the  other  one  may  yet  be  discovered.  At  best  they  are 
unusual  and  wary,  wading  in  the  water  and  swimming  on 
its  surface  with  ease. 

78.     (223.)     PHALAROPUS  LOBATUS   (Linn.).     227. 
Northern  Phalarope. 

Synonyms:      Lobipes     hyperboreus,     Phalaropus     hyperboreus, 

Tringa  lobata. 

Red-necked  Phalarope. 
Kirtland,  Am.  Journal  Sci.  and  Arts,  XL,  1841,  21. 

I  have  been  unable  to  add  any  records  of  this  species  to 
those  given  by  Dr.  Wheaton,  which  are  as  follows :  A  sin- 
gle specimen  (not  a  pair)  taken  near  the  pier  in  Cleveland 
harbor  in  November,  1840  (?),  and  preserved  in  Dr.  Kirt- 
land's  collection.  A  pair  taken  by  Dr.  Jasper,  on  the  Scioto 
river,  also  in  winter  plumage,  one  of  them  preserved  in  Dr. 
Wheaton's,  the  other  in  Oliver  Davies'  collection.  Dr. 
Wheaton  also  remarks  that  others  have  been  taken  by  Mr. 
R.  K.  Winslow  and  others  on  the  lake  shore.  The 
status  of  the  species  as  an  Ohio  bird  must  rest  upon  the 
three  captured  specimens. 


64:  BIRDS  OF  OHIO. 

79.  (224.)     STEGANOPUS  TRICOLOR  Vieill.  228. 

Wilson  Phalarope. 

Synonyms:     Steganopus   wilsoni,    Phalaropus   wilsonii,    Phalar- 
opus  tricolor. 

Kirtland,  Ohio  Geol.  Surv.,  1838,  165,  185. 

This  phalarope  is  reported  only  from  Erie  county  where 
it  is  stated  it  may  breed.  It  has  been  found  in  Lorain  county 
three  times,  each  time  during  the  first  week  in  May.  While 
it  may  breed  in  the  north-western  part  of  the  state  there  is 
no  record  of  its  doing  so. 

The  few  notes  upon  its  migration  seem  to  indicate  that  it 
reaches  the  northern  counties  soon  after  the  first  of  May. 
A  more  careful  search  for  this  interesting  bird  should  dis- 
cover it  in  many  places  where  it  is  not  known  at  present. 
It  is  wary  and  difficult  to  approach. 

Family  RECURVIROSTRID^:.     Avocets  and  Stilts. 

Both  North  American  members  of  this  family  have  been 
iound  in  the  state.  They  are  also  rare,  and,  like  the  last 
family,  are  waders.  They  do  not  swim  as  well,  since  their 
toes  lack  the  lobes  on  their  sides. 

80.  (225.)     RECURVIROSTRA  AMERICANA  Gmel.     229. 

American  Avocet. 
Kirtland,  Ohio  Geol.  Surv.,  1837,  166  185. 

The  rarity  of  this  species  in  the  state  is  attested  by  the 
paucity  of  reports  of  its  occurrence.  Dr.  Wheaton  placed 
it  upon  his  list  on  the  authority  of  Dr.  Kirtland,  who  report- 
ed specimens  that  had  been  killed  near  Cincinnati  by  sports- 
men. Mr.  Charles  Dury  makes  this  later  record,  "Has  been 
seen  on  sandbar  of  Ohio  river."  Mr.  A.  Hall  "saw  a 
specimen  taken  near  Cleveland."  Rev.  W.  L.  Dawson  in- 
forms me  of  a  specimen  secured  at  St.  Mary's  reservoir, 
Nov.  10,  1882,  by  Mr.  Clemens  Utter,  which  is  now  in  the 
collection  of  the  State  University.  Mr.  R.  W.  Smith  re- 
ports "One  specimen,  in  winter  plumage,  taken  at  Lebanon 


65 

reservoir,  in  the  spring  of  1880,  ~and  now  in  Mr.  Gould's 
collection." 

This  exhausts  what  we  know  of  the  Avocet  as  an  Ohio 
bird. 

81.  (226.)     HIMANTOPUS  MEXICANUS    (Mull.).     230. 

Black-necked  Stilt. 

Synonyms:    Himantopus  nigricollis,  Charadrius  mexicanus. 

Stilt,  Long-shanks,  Lawyer. 
Langdon,  Journal  Gin.  Soc.  Nat.  Hist.,  I,  1879,  182. 

The  above  citation  rests  upon  the  authority  of  Mr.  Dury. 
Dr.  Wheaton  also  states  that  "The  Stilt  has  been  repeatedly 
taken  on  Lake  Erie,  as  I  am  informed  by  Mr.  Winslow." 
There  are  no  more  recent  records. 

Family  SCOLOPACID^E.     Snipes,  Sandpipers,  etc. 

Ohio  is  credited  with  twenty-seven  members  of  this  var- 
ied family.  The  Woodcock  is  strictly  sylvan,  found  no- 
where but  in  the  wet  woods.  Many  are  shore  haunters, 
some  feed  in  wet  meadows,  and  most  of  them  are  likely  to 
be  found  in  or  around  the  field  ponds  and  spring  flooded 
places  where  the  water  stands  for  a  few  days  or  weeks.  All 
have  sensitive  bills  with  which  they  are  able  to  feel  the 
worm  or  insect  in  the  mud,  and  some  are  able  to  move  the 
tip  of  the  bill  without  moving  the  rest  of  the  bill.  Some 
travel  in  flocks  of  varying  size  while  some  are  solitary.  Ref- 
erence to  the  individual  species  will  discover  other  points 
which  it  would  not  be  possible  to  treat  here. 

82.  (228.)     PHILOHELA  MINOR  (Gmel.).     200. 

American   Woodcock. 

Synonyms:    Scolopax  minor. 

Bog-sucker,  Big  Mud  Snipe,  Big-headed  Snipe,  Blind  Snipe, 
Whistling  Snipe,  Timber  Doodle,  Bog  Bird,  Night  Partridge, 
Night  Peck,  Hookum  Pake,  "Pewee,"  Labarador  Twister, 
Whistler. 

Kirtland,  Ohio  Geol.  Surv.,  1838,  165. 

The  Woodcock  is  too  much  sought  after  and  therefore 


66  BIRDS  OF  OHIO. 

too  well  known  as  a  game  bird  to  pass  unnoticed  in  any  lo- 
cality. It  is  generally  reported  as  being  a  fairly  common 
breeding  bird  throughout  the  state.  Naturally  it  is  more 
numerous  in  wet  or  damp  woods  than  elsewhere,  and  may 
become  even  abundant  in  restricted  localities  which  afford 
it  both  cover  and  abundant  food.  Being  semi-nocturnal, 
it  must  be  flushed  to  be  seen  during  the  day.  At  twilight 
one  may  be  favored  with  the  so-called  song  and  peculiar 
mazy  dancing  flight  during  the  mating  season,  in  regions 
where  the  birds  are  numerous. 

Woodcock  is  the  only  woods-haunting  bird  which  probes 
deep  into  the  mud  for  the  worms  and  insect  larvae  which 
lurk  there.  It  therefore  performs  an  office  as  an  insect  de- 
stroyer which  is  shared  by  no  other  bird.  As  its  name  im- 
plies, it  is  strictly  sylvan,  seldom  venturing  out  of  the  brushy 
retreats  except  to  pass  from  woods  to  woods,  or  during  the 
mating  flight. 

One  would  naturally  expect  a  bird  which  depended  upon 
mud-inhabiting  insects  for  food  to  tarry  south  until  warm 
weather  insured  an  abundant  supply  of  its  food ;  but  the 
Woodcock  reaches  Oberlrn  during  the  last  week  in  March 
at  the  latest,  often  by  the  middle  of  that  month,  and  does 
not  return  south  until  early  November. 

83.     (230.)     GALLINAGO  DELICATA  (Ord).     201. 
Wilson  Snipe. 

Synonyms:    Gallinago  wilsoni,   G.  media  wilsoni,   Scolopax  wil- 
sonii,  S.  delicata. 
American  Snipe,  Jack  Snipe. 

Kirtland,  Ohio  Geol.  Surv.,  1838,  165. 

The  Jack  Snipe  is  still  an  abundant  migrant  in  some  lo- 
calities, but  is  becoming  scarce  in  others.  It  is  the  mud  pro- 
ber  of  the  fields  and  treeless  bottom  lands,  complementing 
the  work  of  the  Woodcock.  There  can  be  no  doubt  that  this 
snipe  does  good  service  for  the  farmer  in  ridding  his  wet 
fields  of  the  insect  larvae  which  burrow  there  ready  for  the 
young  crop  soon  to  appear.  It  is  a  pity  that  the  erratic  flight 
of  the  snipe  offers  so  many  temptations  to  the  sportsman, 


67 

and  his  flesh  to  the  epicure.  He  is  a  necessary  factor  in  the 
economy  of  agricultural  science. 

Reports  of  the  breeding  of  this  species  in  several  counties 
pretty  clearly  indicate  mistaken  identification  of  the  bird. 
So  far  as  I  have  been  able  to  judge,  there  are  still  no  authen- 
tic records  of  nests  or  young  actually  found  in  the  state.  It 
may  yet  be  found  breeding  in  the  north-western  counties, 
and  possibly  elsewhere. 

There  is  unmistakable  evidence  that  this  snipe  sometimes 
winters  in  the  state.  Prof.  E.  L.  Moseley  records  them  in 
winter  some  miles  west  of  Sandusky  where  springs  prevent 
the  freezing  of  the  mud  and  water.  In  the  southern  counties 
there  are  January  records  which  can  hardly  be  migrating 
birds. 

The  first  migrants  reach  Oberlin  about  the  first  of  April, 
and  some  remain  well  into  May.  Their  return  in  autumn  is 
too  irregular  to  make  any  definite  statements  possible,  ex- 
cept that  the  last  tarry  well  toward  the  end  of  October. 

84.  (231.)     MACRORHAMPHUS  GRISEUS  (Gmel.).     202. 

Dowitcher. 

Synonyms:    Scolopax  grisea. 

Red-breasted    Snipe,    Gray    Snipe,    Gray-back,    Gray-backed 

Snipe,    Long-billed    Dowitcher,    Brown-back.  •  . 

Kirtland,    Ohio    Geol.    Surv.,    1838,    165. 

Judging  from  the  reports,  it  is  a  decidedly  rare  bird  in 
Ohio.  Dr.  Langdon  and  Mr.  Dury  report  it  without  com- 
ment as  rare  near  Cincinnati,  and  Prof.  Moseley  reports  it 
rare  without  comment  at  Sandusky.  It  is  not  mentioned 
by  others.  It  has  never  been  taken  in  Lorain  county. 

It  should  be  looked  for  in  April  and  May,  and  again  in 
late  July,  in  August  and  probably  in  September. 

85.  (232.)     MACRORHAMPHUS  SCOLOPACEUS  (Say.).  202a. 

Long-billed  Dowitcher. 

Synonyms:     Macrorhamphins   griseus    scolopaceus,   Limosa   scol- 

pacea. 

Western   Dowitcher,   Red-bellied    Snipe,    Greater   Long-neck. 
Wheaton,  Ohio  Agri.  Report,  1884,  1875,  572. 


68  BIRDS  OF  OHIO. 

There  seemed  to  be  considerable  confusion  in  Dr.  Whea- 
ton's  mind  regarding  the  two  Dowitchers,  since  this  species 
was  not  included  in  the  body  of  his  catalogue,  but  was 
given  a  place  in  his  check-list.  It  seems  likely  that  his  M. 
griseus  covered  this  species  which  was  then  regarded  as  a 
subspecies.  I  have  but  two  specific  references  to  this  spe- 
cies, both  from  Cincinnati.  Mr.  William  Hubbell  Fisher 
has  permitted  me  to  examine  a  specimen  in  his  private  col- 
lection, and  Mr.  Charles  Dury  reports  it  as  rare.  If  there 
be  other  specimens  in  collections  they  have  not  been  brought 
to  my  notice.  Its  normal  range  would  seem  to  lie  west  of 
Ohio,  although  the  other  species  is  the  rarer  in  Indiana,  ac- 
cording to  Butler. 

86.  (233.)     MICROPALAMA  HIMANTOPUS  (Bonap.).     203. 

Stilt  Sandpiper. 
Synonyms:    Tringa  himantopus. 
Wheaton,  Ohio  Agri.  Report,  1874,  1875,  572. 

Dr.  Wheaton  admits  it  to  his  catalogue  on  the  authority 
of  Mr.  Winslow.  Mr.  A.  Hall  enters  it  as  "Very  rare," 
near  Cleveland.  The  only  other  record  is  the  following: 
Forest  and  Stream,  XXXIII,  No.  1816,  p.  265  (  ?).  Dr.  E. 
Sterling.  1889. 

87.  (234.)     TRINGA  CANUTUS  Linn.     204. 

Knot. 

Synonyms:  Red-breasted  Sandpiper,  Gray-back,  Robin  Snipe, 
May  Bird,  Ash-colored  Sandpiper,  White-bellied  Snipe,  Sil- 
ver-back, Red-breast  Plover,'  Beach  Robin,  Horse-foot  Snipe, 
Robin-breast,  White  Robin  Snipe,  Red  Sandpiper,  Blue  Plo- 
ver. 

Wheaton,  Ohio  Agri.  Report,  1860,  380,  hypothetical.  The  first 
published  record  of  a  specimen  actually  taken  seems  to  be 
the  following: 

Wheaton,  Ohio  Geol.  Surv.,  1882,  Vol.  IV,  Pt.  1,  478. 

"Mr.  Ed.  Savage,  of  this  city,  captured  a  fine  male,  of  a 
pair  in  full  breeding  plumage,  at  the  Licking  reservoir, 
May  27,  1878." 


LIMICOL^E.  69 

Prof.  E.  L.  Moseley,  of  Sandusky,  is  the  only  contributor 
to  report  it. 

88.  (235.)     ARQUATELLA  MARITIMA  (Brunn.).    205. 

Purple  Sandpiper. 
Synonyms:     Tringa  maritima. 
Wheaton,  Ohio  Agri.  Report,  1860,  380,  hypothetical. 

Apparently  the  only  specimen  actually  captured  in  the 
state  is  that  reported  by  Mr.  Winslow  from  near  Cleveland, 
which  he  says  was  preserved  in  the  collection  of  the  Cleve- 
land Academy  of  Sciences. 

89.  (239.)     ACTODROMAS  MACULATA   (Vieilh).     206. 

Pectoral  Sandpiper. 

Synonyms:     Tringa  maculata. 

Grass  Snipe,  "Jack  Snipe,"  Krieker. 
Wheaton,  Ohio  Agri.  Report,  1860,  369. 

This  distinctively  field  sandpiper  is  fairly  common  as  a 
migrant  in  all  parts  of  the  state.  It  may  be  abundant  at 
some  times  during  the  migrations.  It  travels  in  flocks  of 
from  half  a  dozen  to  fifty  or  more  birds  which  move  as  one 
bird.  In  general  habits  these  birds  resemble  the  plovers 
more  than  the  sandpipers,  apparently  gleaning  as  well  as 
probing  for  food.  They  must  be  classed  as  true  benefactors 
to  the  farmer. 

The  first  migrants  reach  Oberlin  about  the  middle  of 
April,  and  some  tarry  into  the  first  week  of  May.  The  first 
return  late  in  July  and  some  remain  about  the  wet  bottom- 
lands until  the  first  of  October. 

90.  (240.)     ACTODROMAS  FUSCICOLLIS   (Vieill.).     207. 

White-rumped  Sandpiper. 

Synonyms:      Actodromas   bonapartii.     Tringa  bonapartii.     Trin- 
ga fuscicollis. 
Bonaparte's    Sandpiper. 
Wheaton,  Ohio  Agri.  Report,  1860,  369. 

In  spite  of  the  statement  by  Dr.  Wheaton  that  this  sand- 
piper is  a  "not  uncommon  spring  and  fall  migrant  on  Lake 


70  BIRDS    OF    OHIO. 

Erie,  rare  in  the  interior  of  the  state,"  there  remain  only 
the  records  mentioned  by  him  in  his  1882  catalogue.  Dr. 
Wheaton  found  it  once,  "in  a  locality  known  as  the  'Broom- 
corn'  fields,  near  Shadeville  in  Franklin  county,  late  in  Oc- 
tober, 1875."  Dr.  Langdon's  record  follows :  "Two  speci- 
mens, the  first  recorded  for  this  vicinity,  taken  September 
6,  1879,  near  Glendale,  Ohio,  by  Mr.  J.  B.  Porter;  both 
were  males."  The  records  of  Mr.  R.  K.  Winslow  must  be 
discounted,  in  the  absence  of  specimens. 

Bird  students  should  be  on  the  lookout  for  this  species, 
which  should  be  found  in  some  numbers  in  the  state. 

91.  (241.)     'ACTODROMAS    BAIRDII    CoUCS.       208. 

Baird  Sandpiper. 

Synonyms:     Tringa  bairdii. 

Wheaton,  Ohio  Agri.  Report,  1874,  572. 

While  this  sandpiper  is  reported  by  Mr.  Dury  alone  of 
all  those  who  have  handed  lists  to  me,  it  cannot  be  as  rare 
as  that  would  indicate.  It  has  been  taken  in  Lorain  county 
several  times  during  its  southward  migration,  but  never  in 
spring  that  I  am  aware  of.  It  should  be  found  in  some  num- 
bers with  the  other  sandpipers.  Probably  the  whole  trou- 
ble is  that  none  know  the  bird  in  the  field.  The  winter  plu- 
mage is  not  as  distinctive  as  one  could  wish,  but  identifica- 
tion is  not  difficult. 

92.  (242.     ACTODRAMAS  MINUTILLA   (Vieill).     .209. 

Least  Sandpiper. 

Synonyms:     Tringa  minutilla,    T.  wilsonii. 
Kirtland,  Ohio  Geol.   Surv.,  1838,   165. 

The  Least  Sandpiper  usually  reaches  Oberlin  in  flocks 
after  May  10.  It  is  easily  approached  and  readily  identified, 
yet  few  seem  to  know  it.  I  have  always  found  it  along  the 
borders  of  ponds  probing  in  the  mud,  or  bathing  in  the  wa- 
ter's edge.  It  was  found  in  considerable  numbers  by  Mr. 
Dawson  and  myself  on  Middle  Bass  Island  during  the  first 
week  in  August,  1901.  I  have  not  seen  it  in  the  southward 
migration  in  Lorain  county. 


LIMICOL^.  71 

93.  (243a.)     PELIDNA  ALPINA  PACIFICA  (Cous).    210. 

Red-backed  Sandpiper. 

Synonyms:    Tringa  alpina  var.  americana,  Pelidna  alpina  amer- 
icana,  P.  pacifica,  Tringa  schinzii. 

American  Dunlin,  Black-breast,  Black-bellied  Sandpiper,  Ox 

Bird. 
Kirtland,  Ohio  Geol.  Surv.,  1838,  165,  185. 

There  has  apparently  been  a  considerable  decrease  in  the 
numbers  of  this  species  since  Dr.  Wheaton  prepared  his 
catalogue.  It  is  nowhere  given  as  common  in  the  state.  It 
is  rare  in  Lorain  county  at  any  time  of  year,  but  has  been 
recorded  more  often  in  the  autumn  than  during  the  spring 
migrations.  It  is  strictly  a  migrant  across  the  state. 

Migration  dates  are  too  few  to  be  of  service  in  determin- 
ing the  time  of  migration,  but  they  indicate  a  northward 
movement  during  late  April  or  early  May,  continuing  well 
toward  the  close  of  May;  and  a  return  late  in  September 
or  early  October. 

94.  (246.)     EREUNETES  PUSILLUS  (Linn.).     211. 

Semipalmated   Sandpiper. 

Synonyms:     Ereunetes  petrificatus,  Tringa  pusilla. 

Peep. 
Wheaton,  Ohio  Agri.  Report,  1860,  369. 

This  and  the  Least  Sandpiper  might  easily  be  confused 
by  any  one  not  familiar  with  the  two  species.  The  differ- 
ence in  size  would  hardly  be  apparent  unless  the  birds  were 
near  together.  It  is  reported  generally  as  not  common  dur- 
ing the  migrations,  but  may  be  in  some  localities  during  fa- 
vorable seasons.  They  often  mingle  with  the  Least  Sand- 
pipers in  the  fall  at  the  common  feeding-grounds  of  the 
shore  birds.  Both  species,  with  many  others,  were  recorded 
at  the  lagoon  on  Middle  Bass  Island  during  the  first  week  of 
August,  1901,  by  Mr.  Dawson  and  myself. 

They  appear  to  migrate  somewhat  earlier  than  the  Least 
Sandpipers,  in  spring,  but  may  return  with  them. 


72  BIRDS  OF  OHIO. 

95.     (248.)     CALIDRIS  ARENARIA  (Linn.).    212. 
Sanderling. 

Synonyms:     Tringa  arenaria. 

Ruddy  Plover,  Beach-bird. 
Wheaton,  Ohio  Agri.  Report,  1860,  480. 

This  light  colored  sandpiper  is  often  common  along  the 
lake  shore  during  both  migrations.  It  appears  to  be  less  com- 
mon in  the  interior  of  the  state,  but  should  be  found  on  the 
gravelly  beach  of  lake  or  large  pond  or  reservoir.  In  flight 
the  flocks  are  compact  and  move  as  one  bird.  I  saw  eleven 
killed  from  a  flock  of  less  than  thirty  birds  with  one  dis- 
charge of  the  shot-gun.  I  have  never  seen  the  birds  except 
in  flocks  of  from  six  to  fifty  individuals. 

The  food  consists  largely  of  the  insects  washed  ashore 
by  the  waves,  and  any  other  fragments  of  animal  matter 
whi'~«h  the  birds  care  for.  They  seldom  run  out  on  the  beach 
far  from  the  water,  but  depend  largely  upon  the  waves  for 
food. 

It  passes  through  Lorain  county  during  May,  rarely  tarry- 
ing into  the  first  week  of  June,  and  returns  by  the  middle 
of  August,  remaining  well  toward  October. 

96.     (249.)     LIMOSA  FEDOA  (Linn.).     213. 
Marbled   Godwit. 

Synonyms:  Limosa  fceda,  Scolopax  fedoa. 

Great  Marbled  Godwit,  Doe  Bird,  Dough  Bird,  Marlin. 
Kirtland,  Ohio  Geol.  Surv.,  1838,  165,  185. 

I  am  able  to  add  nothing  to  Dr.  Wheaton's  records  of 
this  bird  in  the  state.  "Dr.  Kirtland  notes  its  capture  in  sev- 
eral instances  in  northern  Ohio.  Mr.  Langdon  states  on  the 
authority  of  Mr.  Dury,  that  thirty-three  were  'shot  in  one 
day,  near  the  mouth  of  the  Little  Miami,  some  years  ago,  by 
Charles  Weeks,  Esq.'  A  specimen  was  taken  by  a  son  of 
Dr.  Jasper  in  the  immediate  vicinity  of  this  city  (Colum- 
bus), April  21,  1879."  The  wariness  of  the  shore  birds 
and  the  absolute  necessity  of  securing  specimens  of  most  of 
them  to  make  the  identifications  sure,  are  reasons  which 
make  the  records  of  so  many  so  unsatisfactory. 


LIMICOL^E.  73 

97.  (251.)     LIMOSA  HyEMASTiCA   (Linn.).     214. 

Hudsonian  Godwit. 

Synonyms:     Scolopax  hsemastica. 

Smaller  Doe-bird,  American  Black-tailed  Godwit,  Ring-tailed 
Marlin. 

Kirtland,  Ohio,  Geol.  Surv.,  1838,  165,  185. 

The  records  which  Dr.  Wheaton  gives  for  this  species  are 
all  that  I  have  been  able  to  find.  "Dr.  Kirtland  notes  its 
capture  in  the  vicinity  of  Cincinnati,  and  Mr.  Wins  low 
mentions  its  occurrence  near  Cleveland.  I  met  a  flock  of 
eight  birds,  in  the  spring  of  1858,  wading  in  a  shallow  pond 
in  an  old  brickyard  within  the  city  (Columbus)  limits,  but 
was  not  so  fortunate  as  to  secure  specimens.  In  the  spring 
of  1861  a  fine  specimen  was  taken  below  the  State  dam,  near 
the  city,  by  a  sportsman  and  taxidermist,  which  was  pre- 
served until  recently."  There  appear  to  have  been  but  two 
specimens  actually  captured  in  the  state.  We  should  make 
a  better  record  than  this  for  Ohio. 

98.  (254.)     TOTANUS  MELANOLEUCUS  (Gmel.).    215. 

Greater  Yellow-legs. 

Snyonyms:      Scolopax     melanoleuca,     Gambetta     melanoleuca, 
Totanus  vociferus. 

Greater   Tell-tale,   Greater  Yellow-shanks,   Long-legged   Tat- 
tler, Stone-snipe. 

Kirtland,  Ohio  Geol.  Surv.,  1838,  165. 

Fairly  common  during  the  migrations  over  the  entire 
state.  It  may  be  absent  from  some  restricted  localities 
where  there  are  no  ponds  or  wet  meadows  to  furnish  feed- 
ing places.  Both  Yellow-legs  feed  standing  "knee"  deep  in 
the  water,  often  immersing  the  entire  head,  but  oftener  dart- 
ing about  and  thrusting  here  and  there  for  some  fleeing  in- 
sect or  tadpole.  While  they  are  not  distinctly  beneficial  they 
are  certainly  not  harmful  to  agricultural  interests.  They 
may  often  be  seen  in  small  flocks  of  about  a  dozen  or  less 
individuals,  or  singly  on  the  borders  of  ponds  of  almost  any 
extent,  or  on  the  lake  shore. 


74  BIRDS  OF  OHIO. 

This  species  reaches  Oberlin  about  April  20th,  and  often 
tarries  well  into  May.  It  returns  again  about  the  middle  of 
September  and  remains  a  month.  Rev.  W.  F.  Henninger 
has  a  record  for  March  14,  1899,  which  is  certainly  early 
for  the  species,  for  southern  Ohio. 

99.     (255.)     TOTANUS  FLAVIPES  (Gmel.).    216. 
Yellow-legs. 

Synonyms:   Scolopax  flavipes,  Gambetta  flavipes. 

Lesser    Tell-tale,  Common  Yellow-legs,  Lesser  Yellow-shanks. 
Kirtland,  Ohio  Geol.  Surv.,  1838,  161. 

Judging  from  my  own  experience,  this  is  the  commoner 
form  of  this  genus  in  northern  Ohio  at  least.  It  is  found 
in  the  same  situations  as  the  larger  species,  and  frequently 
associates  with  it,  while  feeding,  but  seems  to  prefer  to  fly 
only  with  its  own  kind.  I  have  seen  companies  of  fifteen  to 
twenty  birds,  in  the  ratio  of  two  of  the  Greater  to  three 
of  the  Lesser  Yellow-legs,  feeding  together,  in  starting  up 
from  the  pool  immediately  separate,  each  species  flying  by 
itself. 

Rev.  W.  F.  Henninger  has  a  record  for  southern  Ohio 
on  March  18,  1901.  This  is  undoubtedly  .the  earliest  record 
for  the  appearance  of  this  species  for  the  state.  The  average 
date  of  arrival  at  Oberlin  falls  close  to  the  first  of  May. 
This  may  be  too  late,  since  there  are  records  for  the  middle 
of  April.  The  southward  movement  begins  early  in  Au- 
gust and  continues  to  the  end  of  September. 

100.     (256.)     HELODROMAS  SOLITARIUS   (Wils.).     217. 
Solitary   Sandpiper. 

Synonyms:      Totanus    solitarius,    T.    chlorypigius.    Rhyacophilus 

solitarius,  Tringa  solitaria. 
American  Green  Sandpiper,  Solitary  Tattler,  Wagtail,  Tip-up. 

Kirtland,  Ohio  Geol.   Surv.,   1838,   165. 

As  its  name  implies,  this  bird  is  solitary  in  its  habits,  and 
does  not  occur  in  flocks.  It  clearly  prefers  a  small  pond  in 
the  borders  of  some  open  woods,  or  in  the  midst  of  a  pas- 
ture in  which  there  remain  scattering  trees.  It  may  also  be 


75 

found  in  more  open  situations  during  the  migration  period, 
rarely  loosely  associated  with  Yellow-legs.  I  have  never 
seen  it  in  merely  damp  places,  but  it  sometimes  frequents 
small  temporary  streams  which  .  run  through  meadows. 
There  seems  good  evidence  that  this  sandpiper  breeds  spar- 
ingly from  the  vicinity  of  Columbus  northward.  I  have 
seen  individuals  in  each  summer  month.  Dr.  Wheaton 
found  a  young  bird  in  the  care  of  its  parents  near  Columbus. 
The  ease  with  which  this  species  may  be  confounded  with 
the  Spotted  Sandpiper  may  account  for  its  apparent  absence 
during  the  summer.  It  has  the  general  appearance,  and  a 
note  which  closely  resembles  that  of  the  Spotted  Sandpiper, 
but  lacks  the  round  spots  on  the  underparts,  and  has  white 
spots  on  its  back.  The  white  spotted  back  should  positively 
separate  it  from  the  Spotted  Sandpiper,  and  its  note  should 
be  equally  distinctive  from  the  Yellow-legs  which  also  has 
white  dorsal  spots. 

This  sandpiper  reaches  Oberlin  during  the  third  week  of 
April,  and  returns  south  rather  late  in  October. 

101.     (258.)     SYMPHEMIA   sEMiPALrM-ATA    (Gmel.).     218. 

Willet. 

Synonyms:     Totanus  semipalmatus,  Scolopax  semipalmata. 
Semipalmated   Tattler. 

Kirtland,  Ohio  Geol,  Surv.,  1838,  165. 

Besides  Dr.  Wheaton's  records,  Dr.  Langdon  and  Mr. 
Dury  are  the  only  ones  who  report  this  species.  It  has  not 
been  taken  in  Lorain  county.  Dr.  Wheaton's  statement, 
clearly  based  upon  Dr.  Kirtland's  information,  that  it  is 
"Not  a  common  spring  and  fall  migrant,  probably  breeds  in 
northern  Ohio,"  indicates  that  since  1838,  when  Dr.  Kirt- 
land found  it  in  summer  on  the  lake  shore,  it  has  become  not 
only  rare  but  almost  extinct.  If  it  still  occurs  near  Cincin- 
nati it  is  very  rarely.  Observers  should  watch  carefully  for 
the  birds  and  report  any  occurrences. 


76  BIRDS  OF  OHIO. 

l 

102.  (261.)     BARTRAMIA  LONGICAUDA   (Bechst.).     220. 

Bartramian  Sandpiper. 

Synonyms:     Actiturus  bartramius,   Totanus  bartramius,  Tringa 

bartramia,  Tringa  longicauda. 

Upland  Plover,  Bartram's  Tattler,  Field  Plover,  Grass  Plo- 
ver, Prairie  Pigeon,  Prairie  Snipe. 
Audubon,  Orn.  Biog.,  IV,  1838,  24. 

This  large  upland  sandpiper  is  fairly  common  during  the 
entire  summer  over  the  greater  part  of  the  state,  being 
rather  less  common  along  our  southern  border  as  a  summer 
resident.  While  a  few  breed  in  the  vicinity  of  Oberlin 
each  year,  the  individuals  are  so  few  that  they  might  easily 
be  counted  and  their  breeding  places  located.  These  birds 
are  rather  gleaners  than  probers,  and  therefore  feed  upon 
the  insect  life  at  the  surface  of  the  ground  and  among  the 
grass,  doing  good  service  in  meadows. 

The  average  appearance  for  Oberlin  is  April  15,  and  the 
average  date  of  last  seen  October  15.  Rev.  W.  F.  Hennin- 
ger  has  a  record  for  March  21,  1902,  for  southern  Ohio. 
The  birds  leave  the  state  about  October  25. 

103.  (262.)     TRYNGITES    SUBRUFICOLLIS    (VieilL).      221. 

Buff-breasted  Sandpiper. 

Synonyms:      Tryngites  rufescens,  Tringa  subruficollis,  T.  rufe- 

scens. 
Kirtland,  Ohio  Geol.  Surv.,  1838,  165. 

"Rare  migrant,  only  noted  in  the  fall.  In  addition  to  its 
occurrence  noted  by  Dr.  Kirtland  ( Cleveland,  two  specimens 
captured  in  August,  1840),  it  has  since  been  taken  on  sever- 
al occasions  near  Cleveland.  A  specimen  was  taken  in  the 
immediate  vicinity  of  this  city,  August  31,  1876,  which  is 
now  in  the  collection  of  the  Ohio  State  University.  This 
bird  was  in  company  with  Semipalmated  Plover  and  Semi- 
palmated  Sandpipers,  on  a  gravelly  bank  of  the  Scioto 
river."  (Wheaton,  1882.)  Nothing  more  has  been  report- 
ed concerning  this  species. 


77 

104.  (263.)     ACTITIS  MACULARIA  (Linn.).     222. 

Spotted  Sandpiper. 

Synonyms:     Tringoides  macularius,  Totanus  macularius,  Tringa 

macularia. 

Sandpiper,    Spotted    Tattler,     Peet-weet     Wag-tail,     Tip-up, 

Teeter-tail,   Sand-lark. 
Kirtland,  Ohio  Geol.  Surv.,  1838,  165. 

This  is  the  common  little  sandpiper  throughout  the  state. 
No  one  who  has  walked  by  a  lake  shore  or  along  the  mar- 
gins of  any  considerable  stream  or  moderate  to  large  pond, 
can  have  failed  to  see  this  bird.  It  is  common  everywhere 
all  summer,  breeding  in  fields  or  oh  the  steep  banks  of  lakes 
and  rivers.  Only  once  have  I  failed  to  find  it  on  the  lake 
shore  in  summer,  gleaning  among  the  debris  thrown  up  by 
the  waves.  I  have'also  watched  it  gleaning  in  the  meadows 
and  plowed  fields. 

The  first  reach  Oberlin  about  April  17th,  and  the  last  are 
seen  during  the  first  week  of  September.  These  dates  do 
not  vary  materially  from  those  for  southern  Ohio  contrib- 
uted by  Rev.  Mr.  Henninger. 

105.  (264.)     NUMENIUS  LONGIROSTRIS    Wils.     223. 

Long-billed  Curlew. 
Synonyms:     Sickle-bill. 
Kirtland,  Ohio  Ohio  Geol.  Surv.,  1838,  165,  185. 

The  reports  indicate  that  this  rather  conspicuous  bird  is 
rarely  seen  within  the  state,  but  the  places  of  occurrence 
are  so  well  scattered  that  it  may  be  expected  to  occur  occa- 
sionally over  practically  the  whole  of  the  state  except  the 
southeastern  fifth.  Dr.  Wheaton  records  specimens  taken 
near  Cleveland  by  Dr.  Kirtland;  at  Licking  reservoir,  spec- 
imens captured  there  having  been  examined  by  Dr.  Whea- 
ton, and  the  probability  of  its  occurrence  at  St.  Mary's  res- 
ervoir; and  Dr.  Langdon's  records  of  several  specimens 
taken  near  Cincinnati.  To  these  may  be  added  Defiance 
(Slocum),  Erie  (Moseley),  and  an  additional  record  of  a 
flock  of  seven  at  Licking  reservoir,  May  31,  1902,  recorded 
by  the  writer  and  Mr.  Irving  A.  Field.  While  it  is  possible 


78  BIRDS   OF  OHIO. 

that  this  species  may  be  found  breeding  in  some  parts  of  the 
state,  no  positive  record  has  yet  been  made  to  that  effect. 

It  is  likely  that  the  birds  arrive  from  the  south  about  the 
middle  of  April,  tarrying  well  toward  June  as  the  records 
prove.  They  might  be  mistaken  for  the  Bartramian  Sand- 
piper when  so  far  away  that  the  extremely  long  curved  bill 
cannot  be  seen,  but  otherwise  they  should  be  easy  of  identi- 
fication. 

106.  (265.)     NUMENIUS  HUDSONICUS  Lath.     224. 

Hudsonian  Curlew. 

Synonyms:     Jack  Curlew,  Short-billed  Curlew,  American  Wim- 

brel. 
Kirtland,  Ohio  Geol.  Surv.,  1838,  165,  185. 

Dr.  Wheaton  gives  practically  the  same  records  for  this 
curlew  as  for  the  Long-billed.  Records  from  Defiance 
(Slocum),  Erie  (Moseley),  and  Ashtabula  (Sim)  have 
come  to  me.  This  species  was  regarded  as  less  likely  to  oc- 
cur than  the  preceding,  by  Dr.  Wheaton.  So  far  as  the  re- 
ports received  are  concerned  it  would  appear  to  be  scattered 
over  the  state  about  the  same.  It  is  strictly  a  migrant  in  the 
stat(  Dr.  Wheaton  had  never  seen  it  in  Ohio. 

107.  (266.)     NUMENIUS  BOREALIS   (Forst).     225. 

Eskimo  Curlew. 

Synonyms:     Scolopax  borealis. 

Esquimaux  Curlew,  Dough-bird. 
Wheaton,  Ohio  Agri.  Report,  1860,  380,  480. 

Dr.  Wheaton's  statement  that  it  is  a  "Not  common  spring 
and  fall  migrant"  seems  to  be  pretty  largely  based  upon  a 
report  from  Mr.  R.  K.  Winslow  that  "it  is  not  rare  in  the 
vicinity  of  Cleveland,"  without  specimens  to  prove  the  state- 
ment. Dr.  Wheaton  records  only  the  capture  of  a  speci- 
men taken  near  Cincinnati  by  Mr.  Shorten,  in  September, 
1878,  but  states  that  he  saw  a  single  bird  in  a  flock  of 
Golden  Plovers  in  the  vicinity  of  Columbus.  Prof.  E.  L. 
Moseley  reports  it  as  rare  in  Erie  county  as  seen  by  Dr. 
Graffe.  The  similarity  of  this  and  the  last  species  makes 


LIMICOL^E.         .  79 

any  records  other  than  those  of  actual  captures  of  question- 
able value.  Fortunately  we  have  a  specimen  taken  within 
the  state. 

Family  CHARADRIID^:.     Plovers. 

The  Plovers  have  short  beaks  which  are  not  fitted  for 
probing  in  the  mud,  but  for  gleaning  from  the  surface. 
They  wade  some,  but  seem  to  prefer  to  keep  near  the  edge 
of  the  water.  They  have  a  strong  tendency  to  flock,  but 
may  also  be  found  singly,  even  during  the  migrations. 

108.     (270.)   SQUATAROLA  SQUATAROLA  (Linn.).     195. 
Black-bellied  Plover. 

Synonyms:      Squatarola    helvetica,     Charadrius     helveticus,    C. 

squatarola,  Tringa  squatarola,  T.  helvetica. 

Swiss  Plover,  Bull-head  Plover,  Whistling  Field  Plover,  Ox* 

eye,  Beetle-head. 
Kirtland,  Ohio  Geol.  Surv.,  1838,  165,  185. 

This  plover  appears  to  be  rare  throughout  the  stat?.  It 
has  not  been  generally  reported,  but  such  reports  as  have 
been  made  indicate  that  it  may  be  found  occasionally  every- 
where except  in  the  south-eastern  fifth.  Its  migrations  begin1 
about  the  middle  of  April  and  may  continue  well  toward 
June.  In  the  autumn  they  should  be  found  in  August  and' 
September. 

10.9.     (272..)     CHARADRIUS  DOMINICUS  Mull.     196. 
American  Golden  Plover. 

Synonyms:      Charadrius  fulvus  var.  virginicus,   C.  pluvialis,   C. 

virginicus,  C.  fulvus. 

Golden    Plover,    Field    Plover,    Bull-head    Plover,    Bull-head, 

Green-back,  Green  Plover. 
Kirtland,  Ohio  Geol.  Surv.,  1838,  165,  184. 

From  common  or  even  abundant  during  the  spring  migra- 
tions up  to  the  time  Dr.  Wheaton's  work  closed,  this  plover 
has  become  hardly  more  than  casual  in  most  sections  of  the 
state.  It  is  still  found  in  some  numbers  occasionally,  in 
spring,  in  regions  where  the  small  lakes  are  numerous,  and 


80  BIRDS  OF  OHIO. 

'sometimes  on  the  shore  of  Lake  Erie.  Several  reports  to  the 
contrary  notwithstanding,  it  does  not  nest  in  the  state.  .  Late 
spring  and  early  autumn  records  of  many  of  this  group  of 
birds  do  not  necessarily  indicate  that  they  breed  in  the  re- 
gion where  such  records  have  been  made.  The  "Shore 
Birds"  linger  late  and  return  early. 

The  Golden  Plover,  as  well  as  several  other  species,  mi- 
grates in  flocks  which  fly  as  one  bird.  When  one  individ- 
ual has  been  shot  from  a  flock  the  rest  return  for  the  lost 
one,  and  may  be  in  danger  of  a  similar  fate  at  the  hands  of 
a  thoughtless  hunter.  They  should  be  looked  for  about  the 
middle  of  April,  and  again  in  late  August  or  early  Septem- 
ber. 

110.     (273.)     OXYECHUS  VOCIFERUS   (Linn.).     197. 
.    Killdeer. 

Synonyms:      Charadrius  vociferus.  yEgialitis  vocifera 

Killdeer  Plover,  Ring  Plover. 
Kirtland,  Ohio  Geol.  Surv.,  1838,  165. 

Of  all  members  of  this  group  of  birds  the  Killdeer  is 
probably  the  best  known,  because  he  talks  about  himself  so 
much !  He  is  among  the  first  birds  to  come  from  the  south 
In  early  March,  not  seldom  reaching  the  lake  shore  with  the 
Robin  and  Bluebird,  but  more  often  about  a  week  behind 
them.  One  would  expect  a  bird  of  his  tastes  to  fare  poorly 
while  snow  still  covers  the  ground  for  days  at  a  time,  but 
he  seems  to  find  enough  to  keep  him  warm  and  active.  At 
first  he  stays  close  to  some  low,  wet  place,  gleaning  from  the 
surface  of  the  mud,  or  searches  out  the  fields  which  have 
been  well  kept  and  therefore  furnish  him  with  a  clear  sur- 
face to  feed  upon.  It  seems  likely  that  the  Killdeer  some- 
times eats  soft  seeds  when  insects,  worms,  and  other  soft 
animals  are  difficult  to  find,  but  I  have  no  direct  evidence 
of  it.  At  any  rate,  he  must  be  classed  with  the  distinctly 
beneficial  birds  because  of  the  insect  larvae  which  he  eats. 

The  first  decidedly  spring  thaw,  which  may  occur  late  in 
February  or  not  till  the  second  week  in  March,  brings  this 
bird  to  Lorain  county.  He  stays  all  winter  in  the  southern 


LIMICOL^.      .  81 

part  of  the  state.  His  stay  in  the  autumn  is  determined  by 
weather  conditions,  but  he  is  usually  to  be  found  until' the 
first  of  November,  and  sometimes  well  toward  the  close  of 
that  month.  . 

111.  (274.)     ^£GIALITIS  SEMIPALMATA  Bonap.     198. 

Semipalmated  Plover. 

Synonyms:      Charadrius   semipalmatus. 

Ring-neck,  Ring  Plover,  Semipalmated  Ring  Plover. 
Kirtland,  Ohio  Geol.  Surv.,  1838,  168,  184. 

This  little  plover  is  far  more  common  in  autumn  than  in 
spring,  and  Dr.  Wheaton  records  it  but  once  in  spring  at 
Columbus — May,  1880.  It  is  not  uncommon  at  the  lake 
shore  in  autumn,  from  the  last  week  in  July  until  the  mid- 
dle of  September.  It  often  associates  with  Killdeer  and  the 
Sanderlings,  but  in  flight  flocks  separately.  It  is  generally 
seen  in  small  flocks,  but  single  individuals  are  sometimes 
found  on  the  lake  shore  as  well  as  on  the  smaller  ponds. 
Its  single  black  breast  band  easily  distinguishes  it  from 
Killdeer  if  its  smaller  size  does  not.  I  have  never  seen  it 
feeding  except  at  the  water's  edge  or  among  the  recently 
thrown-up  wash  on  the  shore.  Its  food  seems  to  be  largely 
insects  and  small  mollusks. 

112.  (277.)     ^EGIALITIS  MELODA  (Ord).    199. 

Piping  Plover. 

Synonyms:     Charadrius  melodus,  JEgialitis  melodus. 

Ring-neck. 
Kirtland,  Am.  Journal  Sci.  and  Arts,  XL,  1841,  24. 

It  seems  more  than  likely  that  the  A.  O.  U.  committee 
will  finally  reduce  this  and  the  next  form  to  one  species,  but 
in  the  absence  of  legislation  it  seems  necessary  to  include  both 
forms.  The  interrupted  black  breast  band  of  this  form  and 
the  continuous  breast  band  of  the  subspecies,  a  difference 
upon  which  the  subdivision  of  the  species  was  largely  based, 
does  not  seem  to  be  a  good  character. 

Reports  of  the  occurrence  of  this  small  plover  are  meager 
Dr.  Langdon  and  Mr.  Dury  report  it  from  Cincinnati,  Prof. 


82  BIRDS  OF  OHIO. 

Moseley  from  Sandusky,  there  are  specimens  taken  in  Lo- 
rain  county,  and  the  record  of  Dr.  Wheaton  for  the  vicini- 
ty of  Columbus  exhaust  the  records.  It  is  certainly  a  rare 
migrant  across  the  state,  probably  in  late  April. 

113.  (277a.)     ^EGIALITIS  MELODA  CIRCUMCINCTA  Ridgw. 

Belted  Piping  Plover. 

Dr.  Wheaton  said  of  this  form,  in  his  1882  catalogue, 
"Mr.  Ridgway  describes  as  a  geographical  race  of  this  spe- 
cies, var.  circumcinctus ,  from  the  Missouri  region.  To  this 
variety  Mr.  Nelson  refers  the  birds  taken  in  Illinois  by  him, 
and  doubtless  Ohio  birds  are  the  same.  But  specimens  of 
circumcinctus  have  been  taken  in  various  localities  on  the 
Atlantic  coast  and  doubtless,  as  held  by  Mr.  Brewster,  the 
variety  is  untenable." 

There  are  specimens  of  both  forms  in  Ohio  collections, 
but  circumcincta  appears  to  be  the  more  numerous.  Just  as 
we  go  to  press,  Mr.  W.  L.  Dawson,  Prof.  J.  S.  Hine  and  the 
writer  have  found  some  half-dozen  pairs  of  this  form  breed- 
ing on  the  beach  of  Cedar  Point,  across  from  Sandusky, 
near  the  new  Lake  Laboratory  of  the  Ohio  State  University. 
A  set  of  four  eggs  was  taken  there,  in  an  advanced  state  of 
incubatiojn,  June  26.  This  form  should  be  found  breeding 
in  any  suitable  localities  over  the  state. 

Family  APHRIZID^.     Turnstone. 

The  species  which  is  found  in  Ohio  always  occurs  in 
flocks  while  it  is  with  us.  I  have  never  seen  it  except  on  the 
lake  shore,  where  it  was  gleaning  among  the  rubbish  thrown 
up  by  the  waves.  It  is  a  striking  looking  bird,  easily  identi- 
fied. 

114.  (283.)     ARENARIA  INTERPRES   (Linn.).     194. 

Turnstone. 

Synonyms:     Strepsilas  interpres,  Tringa  interpres. 

Brant  Bird,  Calico-black,  Bead  Bird,  Horse-foot  Snipe. 
Kirtland,  Ohio  Geol.  Surv.,  1838,  165,  184. 


GALLINJE.  83 

The  Turnstone  appears  to  be  Tittle  known  in  the  interior 
of  the  state.  It  has  been  recorded  at  Cincinnati  (Langdon), 
but  not  elsewhere  away  from  the  lake  shore.  It  is  also  re- 
ported from  Erie  and  Cuyahoga  counties.  It  is  somewhat 
irregular  in  Lorain  county,  but  generally  seen  during  the 
spring  migrations  in  small  flocks.  All  of  my  records  fall 
between  May  16  and  20.  I  have  not  seen  it  in  autumn. 
While  here  it  remains  near  the  water's  edge,  gleaning  from 
the  wash  of  the  waves.  I  have  rarely  seen  it  feeding  on 
the  loose  sand  among  the  larger  stones  a  rod  or  more  from 
the  water.  Dr.  Wheaton  did  not  find  it  near  Columbus. 

ORDER   GALLINyE.     Gallinaceous   Birds. 

To  this  group  belong  the  Game  Birds  par  excellence. 
Their  flesh  is  pleasant  because  they  feed  so  largely  upon 
vegetable  matter  of  various  kinds.  Careful  investigation 
of  the  food  of  these  birds  reveals  the  fact  that  the  propor- 
tion of  cultivated  grain  eaten  is  very  small,  while  the  weed 
seeds  form  a  large  proportion.  There  can  be  no  doubt  that 
of  the  grain  eaten  much  is  what  has  fallen  during  harvest, 
and  so  would  be  wasted  if  the  birds  did  not  get  it.  In  some 
localities  members  of  this  group  do  eat  grain  to  a  considera- 
ble extent,  but  the  habit  is  not  general  by  any  means.  In 
winter  buds  and  tender  shoots  of  trees  are  eaten,  and  in 
summer  insects  are  freely  destroyed.  There  is  always  great 
danger  that  the  birds  comprising  this  group  will  suffer  ex- 
tinction because  they  are  killed  both  for  sport  and  for  their 
flesh.  Legislation  limiting  their  destruction  needs  to  be 
specific  and  not  disregarded  by  citizens. 

Family  TETRAONIDJE  GROUSE,  etc. 

115.     (289.)     COLINUS  VIRGINIANUS  (Linn.).     184. 

Bob-white. 
Synonyms:     Ortyx   virginianus,    Perdix   virginiana,    Tetrao   vir- 

ginianus. 

Virginia  Partridge,  "Quail,"  Partridge. 
Wilson,  Am.  Orn.,  VI,  1812,  21. 

Bob-white  is  still  common  in  all  portions  of  the  state,  but 


84  BIRDS  OF  OHIO. 

is  evidently  less  numerous  than  a  score  of  years  ago.  It 
is  reported  as  abundant  from  a  few  localities.  The  prohib- 
itive laws  have  prevented  any  great  diminution  in  numbers. 
It '  seems  likely  that  the  modern  restrictions  thrown  around 
the  sportsmen  will  tend  to  diminish  their  numbers  or  at 
least  dampen  their  ardor  for  the  chase,  thereby  increasing 
the  chances  of  life  for  the  "Quail."  It  would  be  a  distinct 
aesthetic  loss  if  the  Bob-white  should  wholly  disappear  from 
our  fields  and  woods.  Literature  is  too  full  of  references 
to  his  prophetic  warning  or  encouragement  for  us  to  consent 
to  his  extinction. 

I  find  no  evidence  that  Bob-white  migrates  to  any  appre- 
ciable extent:  It  is  probably  hardly  proof  that  he  does  not 
because  a  flock  or  covey  is  known  to  occupy  the  same  re- 
gion the  year  through,  but  it  looks  in  that  direction.  Unfor- 
tunately we  have  almost  no  means  of  knowing  for  a  certain- 
ty the  individual  birds,  and  so  are  unable  to  follow  them  all 
the  year.  It  seems  likely  that  there  is  some  small  southward 
movement  during  the  colder  weather,  or  with  the  appear- 
ance of  considerable  snow.  .1 

Dr.  Sylvester  D.  Judd  has  proved  that  Bob-white  eats 
very  little  grain,  and  that  little  is  probably  largely  waste 
grain,  but  he  does  consume  great  quantities  of  weed  seeds, 
particularly  those  of  the  ragweed.  Farmers  can  coax  a  flock 
of  Bob-whites  to  their  barn-yards  by  throwing  grain  out  to 
the  flock,  but  it  would  be  a  pity  to  do  so  for-the  purpose  of 
killing  them. 

116.     (300.)     BONASA  UMBELLUS  (Linn.).    182. 
Ruffed  Grouse. 

Synonyms:     Tetrao  umbellus. 

Partridge,  Pheasant. 
Kirtland,  Preliminary  Report,  Ohio  Geol.  Surv.,  1838,  67. 

This  strictly  woods  game  bird  has  rapidly  decreased  in 
numbers  in  the  last  decade ;  partly  because  it  has  been  so 
persistently  hunted  and  partly  because  its  breeding  haunts 
have  been  destroyed  in  so  many  places.  It  is  reported  as 
still  fairly  common  in  the  north-eastern  third  of  the  state, 


COLOMBO:.  85 

and  locally  elsewhere,  but  it  is  rare  in  most  other  localities. 
None  have  been  seen  in  Lorain  county  west  of  Elyria  for 
three  years.  Ten  years  ago  it  was  frequently  met  in  the 
woods  about  Oberlin.  It  is  resident  where  it  occurs  at  all, 
remaining  in  the  deep  woods.  Its  drum  call  is  familiar  to 
every  countryman. 

Family  PHASIANID.E,  TURKEYS. 

117.  (310a.)     MELEAGRIS  GALLOPAVO  SYLVESTRIS  (Vieill.). 

181. 
Wild  Turkey. 

Synonyms:     Meleagris  gallopavo  var.  americana,  M.  gallopavo, 

M.  g.  var.  gallopavo,  M.  fera,  M.  gallopavo  fera. 
Common  Wild  Turkey,  Eastern  Wild  Turkey. 
Bonaparte,  Am.  Orn.,  I,  1825,  80. 

This,  the  noblest  of  the  game  birds,  is  all  but  extinct  with- 
in the  state.  It  should  not  be  placed  upon  the  list  of  extinct 
species  until  the  southern  counties  between  the  Scioto  river 
and  Cincinnati  have  been  more  thoroughly  worked.  It  may 
be  present  there  still. 

ORDER  COLUMB^E.     Pigeons. 

Of  the  two  members  of  this  order  found  in  Ohio  only  one 
is  now  numerous  enough  to  receive  attention  as  regards  its 
food.  That  has  been  done  under  the  discussion  of  the  spe- 
cies. It  is  noteworthy  that  in  the  eastern  parts  of  the  United 
States  the  Mourning  Dove  builds  its  nests  well  above  the 
ground,  almost  always,  but  in  the  west  on  the  ground,  and  in 
the  middle  west  indifferently  on  the  ground  or  above  it.  Of 
course  there  are  exceptions  in  each  region. 

118.  (315.)     ECTOPISTES  MIGRATORIUS  (Linn.).     179. 

Passenger  Pigeon. 

Synonyms:     Ectopistes  macrura,  Columba  migratoria. 

Wild  Pigeon. 
Wilson,  Am.  Orn.,  I,  1808,  102. 

This  once  extremely  abundant  species  is  now  of  casual 


86  BIRDS  OF  OHIO. 

occurrence  during  the  migrations.  It  is  likely  that  scatter- 
ing records  of  single  individuals  or  very  small  companies 
may  be  made  from  time  to  time.  Many  localities  on  the 
Western  Reserve  have  their  histories  of  great  flights  and  im- 
mense rookeries.  Before  they  have  entirely  passed  from  the 
memory  of  those  who  knew  of  them  personally  these  places 
should  be  mapped  for  future  reference. 

119.     (316.)     ZENAIDURA  MACROURA  (Linn.).    180. 
Mourning  Dove. 

Synonyms:      Zenaidura   carolinensis,    Columba    carolinensis,    C. 

macroura. 

Carolina  Dove,  Turtle  Dove,  Wild  Dove. 
Kirtland,  Ohio  Geol.  Surv.,  1838,  164. 

The  Mourning  Dove  ranks  well  up  among  the  familiar 
birds,  because  it  frequently  nests  in  the  orchard  or  shrub- 
bery in  towns  and  the  suburbs  of  cities.  It  is  a  familiar 
bird  along  country  roads  in  summer,  taking  dust-baths  or 
gleaning  for  food.  A  few  hardy  individuals  remain  even 
in  the  extreme  northern  parts  of  the  state  all  winter,  but  many 
pass  the  winter  in  the  southern  parts  of  the  state.  The  bulk 
of  the  migrations  occur  about  the  middle  of  April  in  Lorain 
county.  It  is  impossible  to  tell  when  the  most  go  south, 
because  they  are  so  quiet  about  it.  Few  are  seen  during 
the  molting  period,  which  begins  after  the  last  brood  is 
raised,  and  nests  with  eggs  are  found  even  during  the  first 
week  in  September. 

Observations  upon  the  food  of  the  doves  and  examina- 
tions of  their  stomachs  prove  that  while  in  spring  and  sum- 
mer a  good  deal  of  wheat  is  eaten,  by  far  the  largest  pro- 
portion of  the  dove's  food  consists  of  the  seeds  of  noxious 
weeds.  Undoubtedly  the  most  of  the  wheat  eaten  is  what 
the  birds  find  among  the  stubble  after  the  crop  has  been  har- 
vested. I  have  many  times  flushed  doves  from  cornfields, 
during  July  and  August,  and  found  that  they  were  eating 
the  partly  ripe  seeds  of  the  grasses  which  are  the  plague  of 
the  farmer's  life.  The  Mourning  Dove  seldom  occurs  in 
flocks  of  any  size,  and  therefore  any  depredations  upon 
grain  fields  will  hardly  be  noticed. 


RAPTORES.  87 

ORDER  RAPTORES.    Birds  of  Prey. 

SUBORDER  SARCORHAMPHI.    American  Vultures. 

Family  CATHARTID^:.     American  Vultures. 

120.  (325.)     CATHARTES  AURA  (Linn.).     177 

Turkey  Vulture. 

Synonyms:     Vultur  aura,  Rhinogryphus  aura. 

Turkey  Buzzard. 
Wilson,  Am.  Orn.,  IV,  1812,  89. 

The  Turkey  Vulture  is  fairly  common  during  the  summer 
throughout  the  state,  even  to  the  lake  shore,  the  books  upon 
birds  to  the  contrary  notwithstanding.  During  my  resi- 
dence at  Oberlin,  beginning  in  1890,  it  has  been  almost  com- 
mon, nesting  in  fallen  hollow  logs  or  hollow  stumps.  It  re- 
mains all  winter  in  the  southern  parts  of  the  state,  but  is  ab- 
sent in  winter  north.  I  have  found  it  as  early  as  the  7th  of 
March  at  Oberlin. 

Its  habit  of  feeding  on  carrion  is  well  known. 

If  the  birds  are  too  far  away  for  one  to  see  the  bare  head, 
the  soaring  flight  without  any  flapping  of  the  wings,  or 
only  an  occasional  stroke  to  regain  balance,  readily  identi- 
fies the  species.  The  hawks  soar,  it  is  true,  but  they  also  flap 
their  wings  a  good  deal,  or  soar  in  circles,  while  the  vulture 
soars  almost  straightaway,  without  wing  strokes. 

121.  (326.)     CATHARISTA  URUBU  (Vieill.).    178. 

Black  Vulture. 

Snyonyms:      Carthates  atratus,  C.  iota,  Catharista  atrata,  Vul- 
tur atratus. 
Carrion  Crow. 
Audubon,  Orn.  Biog.,  II,  1834,  33. 

The  foregoing  reference  by  Audubon  that  this  species 
summers  in  Ohio  as  far  as  Cincinnati ;  three  specimens  seen 
by  Dr.  Langdon,  "On  or  about  December  20,  1876,"  one  of 
which  he  secured  on  January  1,  1877,  it  having  been  killed 
a  few  days  previous  by  Mr.  Edwin  Leonard,  of  Madison- 
ville ;  and  a  specimen  in  Mr.  Oliver  Davie's  collection,  killed 


88  BIRDS  OF  OHIO. 

February  6,  1895,  four  miles  north  of  Reynoldsburg,  seem 
to  constitute  the  Ohio  records  for  this  southern  species. 

SUBORDER  FALCONES.     Kites,  Hawks,  Eagles,.  Falcons, 

Osprey. 

Family  FALCONID^S.     Same  as  above. 
The  food  habits  are  fully  given  under  each  species. 

122.  (327.)     ELANOIDES  FORFICATUS   (Linn.).     166. 

Swallow-tailed  Kite. 

Synonyms:     Falco  furcatus,  Nauclerus  furcatus,  Falco  forficatus. 
Wilson,  Am.  Orn.,  VI,  1812,  70. 

Writing  in  1812,  Wilson  said  that  this  Kite  "is  very  abun- 
dant in  South  Carolina  and  Georgia,  and  still  more  so  in 
West  Florida,  and  the  extensive  prairies  of  Ohio  and  the 
Indiana  Territory."  Dr.  Kirtland  found  it  "in  considerable 
numbers  in  Portage  and  Stark  counties"  in  the  mid- 
dle thirties,  but  noted  its  absence  in  1838.  Mr.  Kirkpatrick 
found  it  occasionally  in  Crawford  county,  where  it  had  been 
numerous  before,  in  1858.  This  was  the  last  seen  of  this 
elegant  bird  until  a  specimen  came  into  Dr.  Wheaton's  hands 
from  Pataskala,  where  it  was  killed  August  22,  1878. 
Twenty  years  later  in  August,  1898,  Rev.  W.  F.  Henninger 
notes  a  specimen  shot  in  Ross  county  near  Chillicothe.  This 
seems  to  close  the  records  to  date. 

123.  (331.)     CIRCUS   HUDSONIUS     (Linn.).     167. 

Marsh  Hawk. 

Synonyms:      Circus   cyaneus  var.  hudsonius,   Falco  cyaneus,  F. 

hudsonius. 
Marsh  Harrier,  Harrier,  Mouse  Hawk,  Blue  Hawk,  American 

Marsh  Hawk. 
Kirtland,  Ohio  Geol.  Surv.,  1838,  161,  178. 

In  habits  this  hawk  is  unlike  any  of  the  other  hawks.  It 
lives  in  the  open  country,  nesting  and  perching  on  the 
ground.  It  may  always  be  known  by  its  white  rump  spot 
or  patch,  and  by  its  relatively  small  body  and  long,  pointed 


RAPTORES.  89 

wings  and  long  tail.  It  flies  more  like  a  swallow  than  a 
hawk,  as  it  skims  over  the  meadows  or  sweeps  upward  and 
away  with  graceful,  easy  strokes.  It  is  hardly  common 
generally  over  the  state,  but  is  found  in  considerable  num- 
bers in  especially  favorable  places. 

The  food  of  this  hawk  proves  it  to  be  one  of  the  most 
beneficial  of  all  our  predaceous  birds.  It  does  sometimes 
eat  poultry  and  small  birds,  but  the  proportion  of  these  to 
the  whole  food  of  mice,  snakes,  insects,  and  squirrels  is  so 
small  that  it  should  not  count  against  him.  While  their 
young  were  still  in  the  nest  I  have  seen  the  male  return  from 
a  search  over  the  meadows  with  a  good-sized  snake, 
apparently  not  yet  dead,  in  his  talons,  and  drop  it  from  a 
considerable  height  to  the  female  who  would  always  catch 
it  before  it  reached  the  ground. 

The  Marsh  Hawk  is  not  a  common  winter  resident,  even 
in  the  southern  counties,  and  breeds  but  rarely  if  at  all  there,. 
It  passes  north  early  in  March,  reaching  the  lake  shore  be- 
fore the  first  of  April,  sometimes  as  early  as  the  last  week  in 
February.  It  has  not  been  found  in  Lorain  county  after  the 
middle  of  October. 

124.     (332.)     ACCIPITER  VELOX  (Wils.).    169.' 
Sharp-shinned  Hawk. 

Synonyms:     Accipter   fuscus,  Falco  velox,   Falco   fuscus,   Nisus 

fuscus. 

"Pigeon  Hawk." 
Kirtland,  Ohio  Geol.  Surv.,  1838,  161,  178. 

This  little  hawk  is  hardly  common  anywhere  in  the  state, 
but  it  is  everywhere  present  all  the  year.  While  it  prefers 
the  woods,  skulking  through  the  smaller  growth  low  down 
if  it  has  been  feeding,  it  may  often  be  seen  flying  across  the 
open.  In  flight  it  may  be  known  from  the  Sparrow  Hawk 
by  its  larger  size,  long  barred  tail,  lack  of  reddish  in  the 
feathers  of  the  back,  and  by  the  fact  that  it  does  not  hover 
over  the  meadows  but  skulks  in  the  woods. 

It  lives  principally  upon  small  birds  and  young  poultry 
and  English  Sparrows,  only  occasionally  killing  mice  and 


90  BIRDS  OF  OHIO. 

other  small  mammals.  It  is  distinctly  injurious,  but  is  be- 
coming less  so  in  winter  because  it  now  prefers  English 
Sparrows  to  other  birds.  It  is  therefore  becoming  more 
numerous  in  the  cities  and  towns  and  less  so  in  the  country. 
If  he  will  only  grow  fonder  of  the  sparrow  pests  and  leave 
the  young  poultry  alone  we  can  easily  forgive  the  past  and 
give  him  encouragement  for  the  future. 

125.     (333.)     ACCIPITER  COOPERII   (Bonap.).     168. 
Cooper  Hawk. 

Synonyms:     Falco   cooperi,  Astur   cooperi,  Nisus   cooperi. 

Chicken  Hawk,  Big  Blue  Hawk,  Big  Blue-tailed  Hawk,  Long- 
tailed  Dart,  Darter. 
Kirtland,  Ohio  Geol.  Surv.,  1838,  164,  179. 

This  medium-sized  hawk  is  more  often  found  in  the  woods 
than  elsewhere.  Indeed,  it  is  seldom  seen  out  of  the  woods 
except  while  it  is  soaring  up  almost  out  of  sight,  or  while 
it  is  making  a  raid  upon  the  poultry  yard.  It  differs  from 
the  Sharp-shinned  Hawk  in  having  a  long,  rounded  tail 
and  rounded  instead  of  rather  pointed  wings.  To  one  who 
knows  these  two  birds  there  is  no  difficulty  in  identifying 
them,  but  the  difference  is  hard  to  explain.  In  general,  the 
Sharp-shinned  gives  the  impression  of  sharp  angles  with  its 
pointed  wings  and  square  cut  tail,  while  the  Cooper  has 
a  decidedly  rounded  outline  for  both  wings  and  tail.  The 
Cooper  is  a  larger  bird.  Its  metallic  "tic,  tic,  tic,  tic,"  is  its 
characteristic  call,  usually  uttered  during  the  breeding  sea- 
son. 

This  hawk  is  a  common  resident  in  the  southern  parts  of 
the  state,  but  is  rare  in  winter  north  of  Columbus.  The  in- 
dividuals which  migrate  reach  Oberlin  about  the  middle  of 
April,  and  depart  late  in  October. 

Like  the  Sharp-shinned,  this  hawk  lives  principally  upon 
small  birds,  poultry  also  composing  a  large  share  of  its  food. 
It  occasionally  eats  snakes  and  small  mammals,  but  distinct- 
ly prefers  the  hot-blooded  birds.  If  it  eats  English  Spar- 
rows their  numbers  must  be  small,  because  it  does  not  come 
into  the  cities  and  towns  for  them.  The  maledictions  heaped 


RAPTORES.  91 

upon  him  are  his  death  knell.  We  can  only  hope  that  he 
will  not  take  down  with  him  the  manv  hawks  which  are  dis- 
tinctly beneficial,  thus  depriving  us  of  Nature's  balancers  for 
the  injurious  rodents  and  larger  insects. 

126.     (334.)     ACCIPITER  ATRICAPILLUS  (Wils.).    170. 
American  Goshawk. 

Synonyms:     Astur   atricapillus,   Falco   palumbarius,   A.   p.   var. 

atricapillus. 

Goshawk,  Blue  Hen  Hawk,  Chicken  Hawk. 
Kirtland,  Ohio  Geol.  Surv.,  1838,  161,  178. 

The  Goshawk  is  so  much  like  the  Cooper  Hawk  that  it 
is  not  known  by  more  than  a  few  of  the  more  experienced 
Ohio  ornithologists.  It  is  larger,  with  a  relatively  shorter 
tail,  and  the  general  color  is  bluish-slate,  so  much  so  that  the 
bird  is  often  called  the  "Blue  Hawk."  It  is  much  more 
northern  in  its  distribution,  reaching  Ohio  only  in  winter, 
and  then  occurring  over  the  entire  state  in  small  numbers. 
It  seems  likely  that  some  of  the  northern  winter  records  for 
the  Cooper  Hawk  may  really  be  for  this  species.  The 
records  of  its  occurrence  in  the  state  are  too  few  to  make  any 
statement  of  the  time  when  it  may  be  expected  to  reach  the 
state  from  the  north  reliable.  It  seems  likely  that  it  arrives 
with  the  first  cold  and  snow. 

In  food  habits  this  species  resembles  the  Sharp-shinned 
and  Cooper  Hawks,  but  its  larger  size  necessitates  larger 
quarry.  It  lives  principally  upon  birds,  the  grouse  forms 
contributing  the  most  to  its  bill  of  fare.  It  can  easily  make 
off  with  an  ordinary  sized  chicken,  which  it  is  very  willing  to 
come  into  the  barn-yard  for.  It  is  so  bold  a  hunter  that  the 
presence  of  man  seems  to  make  no  difference  whatever. 
Many  instances  have  been  recorded  when  it  has  picked  up 
a  chicken  from  the  ground  at  the  feet  of  persons  who  were 
feeding  the  flock.  The  Ptarmigan  and  Ruffed  Grouse  are 
favorite  tidbits  in  its  summer  home.  In  summing  up  the 
evidence  Dr.  Fisher  says :  "Little  can  be  said  in  favor  of 
this  Hawk,  as  the  destruction  of  a  few  injurious  rodents  is 
a  very  meager  offset  for  the  great  number  of  game  birds 


92  BIRDS  OF  OHIO. 

and  poultry  it  destroys."  "Fortunately  it  is  not  numerous 
enough  in  our  state  to  inflict  any  appreciable  damage. 

127.     (337.)     BUTEO  BOREALIS  (Gmel.).    171. 
Red-tailed  Hawk. 

Synonyms:     Buteo  aquilinus,  Falco' boreal  is,  F.  aquilinus. 

Red-tailed  Buzzard,  Hen  Hawk. 
Kirtland,  Ohio  Geol.  Surv.,  1838,  161,  178. 

This  large  hawk  appears  to  be  migratory  to  some  extent, 
passing  farther  south  in  winter  when  the  ground  is  covered 
with  snow.  However,  it  is 'a  fairly  common  resident  over 
the  entire  state.  It  is  sometimes  absent  from  the  northern 
counties  for  two  or  three  weeks  during  the  period  of  snow 
covered  ground,  usually  in  the  early  part  of  February.  It 
has  the  undeserved  title  of  "Hen  Hawk,"  which  should  be 
transferred  to  the  Goshawk.  While  it  is  true  that  this  large 
hawk  sometimes  feeds  upon  poultry  in  some  regions  more 
than  in  others,  it  clearly  prefers  other  quarry.  Dr. 
Fisher  says,  "Abundant  proof  is  at  hand  to  show  that  this 
Hawk  greatly  prefers  the  smaller  mammals,  reptiles  and 
batrachians,  taking  little  else  when  these  are  obtainable  in 
sufficient  numbers ;  but  if  hard  pressed  by  hunger  it  will  eat 
almost  any  form  of  animal  life,  such  as  poultry  and  other 

birds,  insects,  crawfish,  or  even  offal  or  carrion It 

is  to  be  remarked  that  young  Hawks  are  less  particular  as 
to  the  character  of  their  food,  and  they  are  more  frequently 
found  to  be  the  depredators  of  the  poultry  yards."  Rev. 
Mr.  Henninger  has  found  that  in  southern  Ohio,  at  least  in 
Pike  and  Scioto  counties,  the  Red-tails  feed  almost  exclu- 
sively upon  birds  and  poultry. 

With  the  evidence  all  in  we  must  say  that  while  this  large 
hawk  is  sometimes  a  menace  to  the  poultry  yard  and  at  such 
times  must  be  killed,  it  is  generally  far  more  beneficial  than 
injurious,  and  therefore  should  not  be  persecuted  unto  death 
whenever  found. 

This  hawk  may  be  seen  soaring  in  ascending  spirals  al- 
most anywhere  in  any  region  of  the  state  on  fair  days.  It 
nests  in  the  woods,  but  apparently  feeds  as  much  in  the  open 


RAPTORES.  93 

fields  as  in  the  woods.  It  may  be  easily  distinguished  from 
the  other  large  hawks  by  the  bright  rufous  of  its  tail,  which 
may  have  a  band  of  dusky  near  the  tip. 

128.  (339.)     BUTEO  LINEATUS  (GmeL).    172. 

Red-shouldered  Hawk. 

Synonyms:     Falco  hyemalis,  F.  lineatus,  F.  buteodes. 

Red-shouldered  Buzzard,  Winter  Hawk,  Chicken  Hawk. 
Kirtland,  Ohio  Geol.  Surv.,  1838,  161,  178. 

In  northern  Ohio  this  hawk  is  the  most  numerous  large 
hawk,  the  little  Sparrow  Hawk  alone  outnumbering  it.  It  is 
less  common  during  the  winter  than  during  the  summer,  and 
may  be  absent  for  three  or  four  weeks  in  the  latter  part  of 
January  and  February  when  the  cold  is  severest.  It  seems 
to  be  much  less  common,  if  present  at  all,  in  the  southern 
part  of  the  state  in  summer.  I  did  not  see  it  along  the  Ohio 
river  in  August.  It  may  be  known  from  the  other  large 
hawks  by  the  lack  of  any  rufous  on  the  tail  and  by  the  mod- 
erate length  of  its  tail.  Its  cry  is  pil  ye,  pil  ye,  differing 
from  the  cry  of  the  Red-tail,  which  is  a  continuous  scream. 

There  seems  to  be  no  evidence  that  this  hawk  eats  poul- 
try. Dr.  Fisher  states  that  it  eats  mammals,  birds,  snakes, 
frogs,  fish,  insects,  centipeds,  spiders,  crawfish,  earth- 
worms, and  snails.  Its  food  is  therefore  more  varied  than 
that  of  any  other  member  of  this  order.  It  is  distinctly 
beneficial,  and  if  injurious  at  all  so  very  little  so  that  it  may 
not  be  counted  as  cause  for  the  death  sentence  except  on  the 
rarest  of  occasions. 

The  general  habits  of  this  hawk  resemble  those  of  the 
Red-tail,  but  its  nest  is  not  placed  so  high,  usually,  and  it 
is  not  quite  so  wary. 

129.  (343.)     BUTEO  PLATYPTERUS  (Vieill.).    173. 

Broad-winged  Hawk. 

Synonyms:  Buteo  pennsylvanicus,  Falco  pennsylvanicus,  F.  latis- 

simus,  B.  latissimus. 
Broad-winged  Buzzard. 

Kirtland,  Ohio  Geol.  Surv.,  1838,  161,  178. 


94  BIRDS    OF    OHIO. 

This  is  another  little  known  hawk,  not  because  it  is  rare, 
for  it  is  present  in  some  numbers  throughout  the  state,  but 
because  it  apparently  differs  but  little  from  several  other 
middle-S42£d  Jiawks.  It  is  .about  the  size  of  the  Cooper 
Hawk,  but  differs  from  that  species  in  having  a  much  short- 
er tail  and  in  having  the  wings  more  slender  and  therefore 
more  pointed  instead  of  rounded.  It  differs  from  the  Sharp- 
shinned  in  being  larger  and  in  its  habit  of  soaring  like  the 
other  hawks  of  the  genus  Buteo.  Perhaps  the  most  reliable 
character  is  its  unsuspiciousness  of  man.  It  will  permit  a 
near  approach  without  manifesting  either  uneasiness  or  curi- 
osity. 

Dr.  Fisher  says :  "The  food  of  this  hawk  consists  prin- 
cipally of  insects,  small  mammals,  reptiles,  and  batrachians, 
and  occasionally  of  young  or  disabled  birds.  A  specimen 
secured  by  the  writer  just  after  a  shower  was  gorged  with 
earthworms.  In  spring  when  toads  frequent  ponds  to  spawn, 
it  devours  large  numbers  of  them,  and  later  in  the  season 
it  is  a  not  uncommon  occurrence  to  see  an  individual  with  a 
snake  or  frog  dangling  from  its  talons."  Probably  the  great- 
est service  which  this  hawk  renders  is  in  the  destruction  of 
large  numbers  of  the  large  insect  larvae  which  most  birds 
do  not  touch.  While  it  eats  some  animals  which  are  bene- 
ficial it  is  too  useful  a  bird  to  be  killed  indiscriminately,  but 
should  be  accorded  protection. 

This  hawk  should  be  found  wintering  in  the  state  south  of 
Columbus,  but  probably  in  small  numbers.  It  reaches  north- 
ern Ohio  in  the  spring  about  the  middle  of  March,  and  has 
gone  south  again  by  the  middle  of  November. 

130.     (347a.)     ARCHIBUTEO     LAGOPUS     SANCTI-JOHANNIS 
(GmeL).     174. 

American  Rough-legged  Hawk. 

Synonyms:     Falco    sancti-johannis,    Archibuteo    sancti-johannis, 

A.  lagopus. 

Rough-legged  Buzzard,  Black  Hawk. 
Kirtland,  Ohio  Geol.  Surv.,  1838,  161,  178. 

This  large  hawk  occurs  only  during  the  winter,  when  it 


RAPTOR^.  ;$5 

ranges  across  the  state.  Being  semi-nocturnal  'in  habits  it 
is  not  often  seen  by  those  who  go  out  only ,-, during  bright 
day,  and  so  is  regarded  rare  or  absent  from  many  regions 
where  it  undoubtedly  occurs.  I  have  fo,tuid  it  in  Lorain 
county  only  after  the  holidays,  usually  in  late  winter  and 
early  spring.  In  feeding  habits  it  somewhat  resembles  the 
Marsh  Hawk,  beating  low  over  the  meadows  and  fields  and 
pouncing  upon  the  mice  and  moles  from  its  low  flight. 

Dr.  Fisher  says :  "Its  food  consists  principally,  if  not 
almost  exclusively,  of  the  smaller  rodents,  and  most  promi- 
nent among  them  are  the  arvicoline  mice  and  lemmings." 
It  is  therefore  clear  that  this  hawk  shoujd  be  welcomed  to 
our  fields  and  meadows  and  orchards  -where  these  pests 
abound. 

Probably  the  chief  character  which  will  distinguish  this 
large  hawk  from  all  the  others  in  flight  is  its  dark  color.  Jt 
is  so  much  smaller  than  the  eagles  that  the  comparison 
would  appeal  to  any  one  at  once. 

131.     (349.)     AQUILA  CHRYSAETOS   (Linn.).     175. 
Golden  Eagle. 

Synonyms:     Aquila  chrysaetus  var.  canadensis,  FaTco  fulvus,  F~. 
chrysaetus,  Aquila  canadensis. 

Ring-tailed  Eagle. 
Kirtland,  Ohio  Geol.  Surv.,  1858,  67,  177. 

It  is  not  at  all  likely  that  this  eagle  nests  in  the  state.  It 
seems  to  be  a  rare  winter  visitor,  but  is  reported  from  all 
sections.  Mr.  Harry  B.  McConnell  tells  me  that  three  have 
been  captured  in  the  vicinity  of  Cadiz  within  the  past  three 
years.  I  have  four  records  for  Lorain  county  within  the 
last  five  years.  One  was  shot,  not  far  from  Oberlin,  in  the 
act  of  carrying  off  a  hen  from  a  barn-yard. 

"The  food  consists  mainly  of  mammals  and  birds,  of 
which  spermophiles,  rabbits,  fawns,  lambs,  turkeys,  water 
fowl  and  other  large  birds  form  the  principal  part,  though 
offal  and  carrion  are  sometimes  taken. 

"To  sum  up,  it  may  be  stated  that  in  sections  of  the  coun- 
try where  rabbits,  prairie  dogs  and  gophers  are  abundant 


96  BIRDS   OF  OHIO. 

the  Golden  Eagle  is  very  beneficial,  confining  its  attention 
mainly  to  those  noxious  animals ;  but  in  places  where  wild 
game  is  scarce  it  is  often  very  destructive  to  the  young  of 
domesticated  animals,  and  hence  in  such  places  has  to  be 
kept  in  check."  (Fisher.) 

There  are  many  accounts  of  the  ferocity  and  cruelty  of 
this  large  bird  of  prey,  some  of  which  are  probably  true.  It 
has  been  known  to  kill  a  good  sized  black-tailed  deer,  and  in 
rare  instances  to  attack  a  man  who  interfered  with  it  while 
it  was  feeding.  Even  in  defense  of  its  young  it  is  usually 
not  courageous  but  an  arrant  coward.  It  is  more  than  like- 
ly that  the  accounts  of  the  capture  of  children  by  this  bird 
are  good  illustrations  of  vivid  imagination.  While  a  hun- 
gry bird  might  pounce  upon  an  unprotected  infant  it  is  ex- 
tremely unlikely  that  a  child  old  enough  to  walk  would  be 
molested. 

132.     (352.)     HALI^EETUS    LEUCOCEPHALUS    (Linn.).  176. 
Bald  Eagle. 

Synonyms:     Falco  leucocephalus,  F.  washingtonianus,  F.  wash- 

ingtonii. 

Whie-headed  Eagle,  Bird  of  Washington. 
Wilson,  Am.  Orn.,  IV,  1812,  890. 

While  the  Bald  Eagle  is  common  near  Sandusky  and 
among  the  islands  north  of  there,  it  is  rare  in  the  other  parts 
of  the  state.  It  does  not  seem  to  migrate  southward  in  win- 
ter, but  is  strictly  resident  wherever  it  occurs.  The  two 
eagles  are  too  large  to  be  confused  with  the  hawks,  and  the 
white  head  and  tail  of  this  species  is  wholly  distinctive. 

"The  favorite  food  of  the  Bald  Eagle  is  fish,  and  where 
this  vertebrate  can  be  procured  the  bird  will  touch  little  else. 
Of  the  hundreds  of  these  Eagles  which  the  writer  has 
watched,  none  were  observed  ever  to  touch  anything  except 
fish  or  offal  picked  up  from  rivers  or  along  their  shores. 
What  proportion  of  the  fish  consumed  is  taken  from  the 
Osprey  is  hard  to  estimate,  but  the  number  must  be  very 
great. 

"What  we  have -said  in  Reference  to  the  Golden  Eagle 


RAPTORES.  97* 

applies  equally  well  to  the  bird  under  consideration,  namely, 
that  over  the  greater  part  of  the  country  where  the  natural 
food,  fish  in  the  present  case,  is  abundant  it  is  a  harmless 
bird  and  should  be  protected;  while  in  sections  where  it  is 
injurious  to  sheep  or  other  domesticated  animals  it  should 
not  be  allowed  to  become  numerous."  (Fisher.) 

There  seem  to  be  several  well  authenticated  instances 
when  this  eagle  has  attacked  human  beings,  for  one  cause  or 
another,  but  it  is  equally  true  that  it  does  not  often  do  so. 
Indeed,  the  provocation  would  have  to  be  great,  for  the 
birds  are  usually  cowards  in  the  presence  of  man. 

It  is  well  known  that  the  Bald  Eagle's  regular  practice 
is  to  wait  until  the  Osprey  has  captured  a  fish  when  the 
eagle  attacks  him  and  forces  him  to  drop  it,  whereupon  the 
eagle  secures  it  for  himself.  While  it  is  hard  on  the  Osprey 
it  is  easy  for  the  eagle. 

133.     (356.)     FALCO  PEREGRINUS  ANATUM  (Bonap.).    162. 
Duck  Hawk. 

Synonyms:     Falco  communis  var.  anatum,  Falco  peregrinus  nae- 

vius,  F.  peregrinus,   F.  anatum,  F.  communis. 
Peregrine  Falcon,  Great-footed  Hawk,  Wandering  Falcon. 
Kirtland,  Ohio  Geol.  Surv.,  1838,  161,  178. 

The  Duck  Hawk  seems  to  be  the  least  known  of  our 
smaller  hawks,  yet  it  must  be  pretty  well  distributed  over 
the  state,  at  least  in  winter.  It  is  one  of  the  most  fearless 
of  our  birds  of  prey,  and  a  true  Falcon  in  its  swiftness  of 
wing,  quickness,  and  dash.  It  is  able  to  overtake  and  kill 
a  pigeon  or  teal  in  full  flight.  Nothing  seems  able  to  es- 
cape by  its  swiftness  alone.  It  is  also  persistent  to  the  last 
degree,  following  a  flock  of  ducks  or  other  birds  for  miles, 
often  for  days,  killing  whenever  hungry.  Hunters  often 
complain  that  their  kills  have  been  seized  by  this  hawk  from 
under  their  hands. 

Concerning  the  actual  records  for  this  hawk  within  the 
state  there  is  little  to  say.  Mr.  Dury  has  taken  several 
specimens  at  St.  Mary's  reservoir;  Dr.  Jasper  took  one  at 
Columbus  ;  there  is  a  specimen  in  the  collection  of  Mr. 


'38  BIRD£  OF 

.  A.  Hengartner,  of  Lorain,  taken  near  the  lake  shore ;  and  a 
.'specimen  was  taken  in  one  of  the  State  University  buildings 
during  the  winter  of  1902-3.  Mr.  W.  L.  Dawson  reports 
one  positively  identified,  at  Columbus,  March  5,  1902.  There 
iare  reports  of  other  birds  having  been  seen,  but  if  there  have 
been  any  captures  they  have  not  been  reported.  Dr.  Whea- 
'ton  supposed  that  it  might  be  found  nesting  in  the  north- 
'western  part  of  the  state,  but  if  it  does  it  is  unknown  to  me. 
.  The  large  size  for  a  Falcon  and  the  boldness  and  swift- 
'ness  of  this  hawk  are  about  all  the  field  characteristics  that 
I  can  give.  It  could  not  be  taken  for  one  of  the  Buteo  group, 
nor  for  anything  but  a  Falcon.  It  is  the  largest  of  that 
group  inhabiting  Ohio. 

"The  food  of  this  hawk  consists  almost  exclusively  of 
birds,  of  which  water-fowl  and  shore  birds  form  the  greater 
part.  In  sections  of  the  country  where  its  nest  is  surroundeji 
by  cultivated  lands,  the  bird  is  bitterly  complained  of  by 
.the  farmers  on  account  of  its  inroads  on  the  poultry." 
(Fisher.) 

134.     (357.)     FALCO  COLUMBARIUS  Linn.    163. 
Pigeon  Hawk. 

Synonyms:      yEsalon    columbarius,    Hypotriorchis    columbarius, 

Falco  lithifalco  var.  columbarius. 
Kirtland,  Ohio  Geol.  Surv.,  1838    161,  178. 

This  little  Falcon  appears  to  be  rare  in  the  state,  as  a 
migrant  or  winter  resident  everywhere  except  in  the  north- 
ern tier  of  counties  where  it  has  been  found  breeding  rarely. 
There  are  generally  several  records  each  winter  near  Ober- 
lin.  During  the  migrations  it  may  be  found  near  or  even 
traveling  a  little  behind  the  flocks  of  blackbirds  and  other 
small  flocking  birds,  preying  upon  them.  It  should  be 
found  during  the  winter  in  the  southern  parts  of  the  state 
pretty  regularly,  but  in  small  numbers. 

"The  food  of  the  Pigeon  Hawk  consists  mainly  of  small 
and  medium  sized  birds,  especially  the  gregarious  species, 
insects,  and  occasionally  small  mammals.  Pigeons,  Flickers 
and  Crackles  are  about  as  large  birds  as  it  usually  attacks, 


RAPTORES.  99 

t'Kbugh  Dr.~  Dall  in  one  instance  saw  it  kill  a  Ptarmigan,  and 
Dr.  E.  A.  M earns  speaks  of  a  specimen  shot  in  the  act  of  de- 
stroying a  hen.  Among  insects  dragon  flies  are  favorite 
morsels  for  this  Hawk,  and  the  apparent  ease  With  which 
i-t  captures  these  nimble  winged  insects  demonstrates  better 
than  anything  else  its  remarkable  power  of  flight.  The 
writer  has  also  found  grasshoppers,  crickets  and  beetles 
among  the  stomach  contents."  (Fisher.) 
•  It  is  not  easy  to  distinguish  between  this  and  some  others 
of  the  small  hawks.  However,  this  is  one  of  the  smallest  and 
darkest,  with  the  habits  of  a  Falcon,  snatching  its  prey 
from  the  ground  or  in  the  air  without  stopping  its  flight 
instead  of  pouncing  upon  it  and  bearing  it  down  by  its 
weight. 

135.     (360.)     FALCO  SPARVERIUS    Linn.     164. 
American  Sparrow  Hawk. 

Synonyms:     Tinnunculus  sparverius. 

Sparrow  Hawk,  Rusty-crowned  Falcon. 
Kirtland,  Ohio  Geol.  Surv.,  1838,  161,  178. 

This  is  universally  conceded  to  be  the  commonest  of  our 
hawks.  It  is  common  everywhere  during  the  summer,  but 
is  less  common  in  the  northern  third  of  the  state  in  winter 
than  in  summer.  It  frequently  comes  into  towns  and  city 
parks  at  almost  any  time,  to  catch  English  Sparrows,  and  is 
therefore  seen  by  many  persons  who  know  nothing  about 
any  other  hawks.  It  is  readily-  distinguished  from  all  other 
hawks  by  its  bright  rufous  back  and  tail,  and  in  the  field  by 
its  habit  of  hovering  over  a  meadow  as  it  scans  the  ground 
for  a  mouse  or  insect.  I  have  seen  one  spend  an  hour  looking 
over  a  ten-acre  field  in  this  way,  hovering  in  one  place  for 
about  a  minute,  then  change  its  position  and  hover  again, 
and  finally  fly  to  another  field  when  unsuccessful. 

"The  Sparrow  Hawk  is  almost  exclusively  insectivorous 
except  when  insect  food  is  difficult  to  obtain.  In  localities 
where  grasshoppers  and  crickets  are  abundant  these  hawks 
congregate,  often  in  moderate  sized  flocks,  and  gorge  them-t 
selves  continuously.  Rarely  do  they  touch  any  other  kind 


100  BIRDS  OF  OHIO. 

of  food  until,  either  by  the  advancing  season,  or  for  other 
natural  causes,  the  grasshopper  crop  is  so  lessened  that  they 
can  no  longer  appease  their  hunger  except  by  undue  exer- 
tion. Then  other  kinds  of  insects  and  other  forms  of  life 
contribute  to  their  fare;  and  beetles,  spiders,  mice,  shrews, 
small  snakes,  lizards  or  even  small  birds  are  required  to 
bring  up  the  balance."  (Fisher.)  It  therefore  seems  cer- 
tain that  the  farmer  has  no  better  friend  than  this  little  Fal- 
con. He  may  rarely  exact  toll  in  the  form  of  chicken  meat, 
but  that  should  no  more  count  against  the  whole  group  of 
Sparrow  Hawks  than  an  occasional  chicken  stealing  cat 
should  count  against  all  cats. 

While  this  hawk  nests  in  hollow  trees  in  the  woods,  or 
more  properly  on  the  borders  of  woods  preferably,  it  is  more 
often  seen  in  the  open  than  in  the  woods,  except  when  nest- 
ing. It  feeds  in  the  open  then  but  stays  near  home. 

136.     (364.)     PANDION  HALIAETUS  CAROLINENSIS  (Gmel.). 
165. 

American  Osprey.. 

Synonyms:    Pandion  haliaetus,  Falco  haliaetus,  Pandion  carolin- 

ensis,  Falco  carolinensis. 
Fish  Hawk,  Osprey. 
Kirtland,  Ohio  Geol.  Surv.,  1838,  161. 

The  Osprey  is  not  common  anywhere  in  the  state,  but  it 
is  likely  to  be  present  wherever  fish  are  to  be  found  near  the 
surface  of  the  water.  It  should  breed  at  the  large  reser- 
voirs and  lakes,  but  there  are  no  such  reports  from  those 
regions.  It  is  found  all  summer  at  the  lake  shore,  but  I  am 
not  aware  that  a  nest  has  actually  been  found.  Rev.  Mr. 
Henninger  states  that  it  occurs  in  Scioto  and  Pike  counties 
during  the  winter  and  during  the  spring  and  autumn  migra- 
tions in  some  numbers,  feeding  along  the  Scioto  river.  It 
visits  the  Oberlin  water-works  reservoir  pretty  regularly 
the  first  or  second  week  in  May,  often  tarrying  for  several 
days  in  the  vicinity  because  the  fish  are  so  numerous  and  so 
to  catch. 

The  Osprey's  food  is  exclusively  fish,  almost  always  cap- 


RAPTORES.  101 

tured  alive,  but  rarely  dead  ones  are  picked  up  from  the 
surface  of  the  water  if  the  bird  is  hard  pressed  for  food. 
I  have  seen  it  catch  fish  so  large  that  it  was  barely  able  to 
get  out  of  the  water  with  its  catch.  There  are  instances 
when  the  bird  has  struck  so  large  a  fish  that,  unable  to  loos- 
en his  hold,  he  has  been  drawn  under  the  water  and 
drowned.  Large  fish  have  been  washed  ashore  with  an  Os- 
prey  still  clinging  to  them  in  death,  the  claws  set  too  firmly 
in  flesh  and  scales  to  be  loosened. 

Tt  has  been  stated  that  where  Bald  Eagles  are  found  there 
the  Osprey  will  be  also.  That  has  not  proved  true  in  the 
region  of  Sandusky  where  the  eagles  are  more  numerous 
than  elsewhere  in  the  state.  Perhaps  the  Ospreys  have 
learned  to  avoid  that  region. 

SUBORDER  STRIGES.     Owls. 
Family  STRIGID^E.    Barn  Owls. 

137.     (365.)     STRIX  PRATINCOLA  Bonap.     152. 
American  Barn  Owl. 

Synonyms:     Strix  flammea  var.  americana,  S.  flammea,   Aluco 

flammeus  americanus. 
Barn  Owl,  Monkey-faced  Owl. 

Kirkpatrick,  Ohio  Farmer,  VIII,  1859,  35. 

"Rare  visitor.  Not  over  half  a  dozen  individuals  record- 
ed." (Wheaton.)  There  has  been  a  very  manifest  increase 
in  the  numbers  of  this  owl  since  Dr.  Wheaton  wrote  the 
above  quotation.  It  is  now  almost  common  in  the  southern 
parts  of  the  state,  being  even  common  locally.  In  the  north- 
ern half  of  the  state  it  is  generally  reported  as  rare.  Num- 
bers of  specimens  have  been  taken  along  the  whole  lake 
front.  It  is  resident-  every  where,  and  will  usually  be  found 
in  barns  and  church  steeples  or  similar  places  where  it 
spends  the  day,  sallying  forth  at  dusk  for  its  daily  catch  of 
rats  and  mice. 

The  bird  may  be  known  at  once  by  its  "monkey  face," 
lack  of  ear  tufts,  and  bright  reddish-brown  color.  It  is 


1'02  BIRDS   OF  OHIO, 

considerably  larger  than  the  Screech  Owl,  which  may  be 
reddish,  but  has  ear  tufts. 

f  >"A11  testimony  goes  to  show  that  the  Barn  Owl  is  one  of 
the  most  beneficial  of  rapacious  birds Its  food  un- 
doubtedly consists  principally  of  several  species  of  rodents 
which,  from  their  great  number  and  destructive  habits,  are 

a  curse  to  the  country  they  inhabit In  the  east  its 

food  consists  largely  of  mice  and  rats  which  it  destroys 
with  as  much  energy  as  it  does  the  gophers  of  the  west. 
All  the  common  species,  including  the  meadow,  house,  and 
white-footed  mice,  as  well  as  the  common  rat  are  eaten  with 
equal  relish"  (Fisher).  Mr.  Charles  Dury  gives  an  ac- 
count of  a  colony  of  these  owls  which  lived  in  the  town  hall 
in  Glendale,  Ohio,  in  which  he  says,  "But  the  strangest 
part  of  the  curious  habitation  was  the  flock  of  domestic 
pigeons  that  were  living  seemingly  on  intimate  terms  with 
the  owls,  and,  judging  from  the  old  pigeon  nests,  I  presume 
the  pigeons  had  actually  nested  and  reared  their  young 
there.  The  floor  where  they  lived  was  literally  covered 
with  the  pellets  which  the  birds  had  disgorged,  after  the 
manner  of  the  owl  tribe."  It  seems  to  be  beyond  question 
that  one  Barn'  Owl  is  worth  a  whple  family  of  cats  as  a 
mouser,  and  that  it  is  far  less  likely  to  steal  a  chicken  than 
the  average  cat  is. 

Family    BUBONID^E.      Other   Owls. 

138.     (366.)     Asio  WILSONIANUS  (Less.).     153. 
American  Long-eared  Owl. 

Synonyms:      Otus   vulgaris   var.    wilsonianus,   Asio   americanus, 

Otus  vulgaris,  O.  wilsonianus. 
Long-eared  Owl,  Cat  Owl. 
Audubon,  Orn.  Biog.,  IV,  1838,  572.  .^v,-, 

One  must  look  in  the  woods  for  this  owl,  where  it  nests 
and  where  it  feeds  by  night  and  rests  by  day.  It  is  not 
common  anywhere  in  the  state,  but  is  pretty  generally  dis- 
tributed. In  Lorain  county  it  has  been  found  both  singly 
and  in  companies  of  six  individuals  in  winter,  and  its  cry  is 
sometimes  heard  -ikiring  the  summer  while  it  is  nesting.  It 


RAPTORES'1-  103 

inhabits  the  stream  gorges  in  Which '»trhere  is  a  considerable 
growth  of  evergreen  trees,  in<  winter,  and  may  be  closely  ap^ 
proached  there.  While  it  is  strictly  nocturnal  it  can : -bed 
well  enough  in  bright  sunlight  to'  thread  its  way  in  rapid 
flight  through  the  mazes  of  the  trees.  Its'  confidence  in -its 
protective  colors  and  attitude  often  proves  fataL 

This  owl  may  be  identfied  in  the  field  as  a  medium- 
sized  bird  with  conspicuous  ear  tufts.  The  only  other  owls 
with  conspicuous  ear  tufts  are  either  so  much  smaller  or  so 
much  larger  that  one  should  have  no  difficulty  in  making 
the  determination. 

"The  Long-eared  Owl  is  one  of  our  most  beneficial  spe- 
cies, destroying  vast  numbers  of  injurious  rodents  and  sel- 
dom touching  insectivorous  birds As  this  owl  is 

readily  destroyed,  it  is  the  one  that  suffers  most  when  short- 
sighted legislators  enact  laws  for  the  destruction  of  the 
birds  of  prey It  is  both  cruel  and  pernicious  to  mo- 
lest a  bird  so  valuable  and  innocent  as  the  one  under  con- 
sideration." (Fisher.)  Like  other  birds  of  prey,  this  owl 
will  attack  poultry  or  even  small  dogs  when  hard  pressed 
for  food.  Insects  may  form  a  fair  proportion  of  the  sum- 
mer diet  of  these  birds  where  they  are  easier  to  obtain  than 
rodents. 

139.     (367.)     Asio  ACCIPITRINUS    (Pall.).     154. 
Short-eared  Owl. 

Synonyms:     Brachyotus    palustris,    Strix    brachyotus,    Brachyo- 

tus  cassinii,  Otus  brachyotus,  Strix  accipitrinus. 
Marsh  Owl,  Prairie  Owl. 
Kirtland,  Ohio  Geol.  Surv.,  1838,  161,  179. 

This  owrl  is  just  as  truly  a  bird  of  the  open  fields  as  the 
Long-eared  is  of  the  woods.  It  even  nests  on  the  ground, 
and  roosts  under  overhanging  banks  in  almost  any  ditch  or 
considerable  gorge.  In  Lorain  county  I  have  never  seen 
more  than  two  together,  and  they  on  the  lake  shore  in  win- 
ter. Several  are  seen  each'  winter  or  early  spring,  but  it 
must  be  regarded  as^  uncommon  if  not  rare.  I  have  never 
seen  it  in  summer.  It  appears  to  be  common  during  the  win- 


104  BIBDS  OF  OHIO. 

ter  in  some  parts  of  the  southern  counties,  and  likely  nests 
in  the  more  extensive  prairies  and  swampy  regions.  It  may 
be  known  by  its  habit  of  feeding  during  the  early  forenoon 
and  late  afternoon  in  broad  day,  and  by  its  habit  of  feeding 
in  the  fields.  While  it  has  ear  tufts  they  are  too  small  to  be 
seen  unless  the  bird  raises  them  in  excitement. 

"The  food  of  this  Owl  consists  largely  of  mice  and  other 
small  mammals.  A  number  of  species  of  insects,  birds,  and 
reptiles  also  may  be  mentioned  as  occasionally  contributing 
to  its  fare.  Fully  75  per  cent  of  the  stomachs  examined  in 
the  Department  of  Agriculture  contained  mice.  ...  Of  the 
other  mammals  which  this  Owl  feeds  upon  may  be  men- 
tioned shrews,  gophers,  and  sometimes  small  rabbits." 
(Fisher.)  The  verdict  is  clearly  for  protection  of  this  owl, 
even  if  he  does  sometimes  kill  useful  animals. 

140.     (368.)     SYRNIUM  VARIUM  (Barton).     155. 
Barred  Owl. 

Synonyms:      Strix  nebulosa.     Syrnium  nebulosum. 

Hoot  Owl,  American  Wood  Owl,  Round-headed  Owl. 
Kirtland,  Ohio  Geol.  Surv.,  1838,  161. 

This  is  the  most  common  large  owl,  and  stands  next  to 
the  Screech  Owl  in  numbers.  It  is  strictly  resident  through- 
out the  state,  and  as  strictly  arboreal.  It  is  nocturnal,  but 
sometimes  feeds  during  dark  days  or  at  twilight.  Its  cry 
"who  cooks  for  you,  who  cooks  for  you,  who!"  may  be 
heard  in  almost  any  large  woods  during  the  early  evening 
or  early  morning  hours,  while  its  blood-curdling  caterwaul- 
ings  are  more  often  reserved  for  the  small  hours  when  the 
camper  is  sure  to  be  asleep!  In  these  later  days  some  of 
the  thrilling  accounts  of  "encounters"  with  wild  cats  and 
panthers  in  the  more  settled  districts  of  the  state  are  trace- 
able to  the  night  calls  of  this  owl.  Certain  it  is  that  a  sud- 
den awakening  in  the  wee  hours  with  the  unearthly  squalls 
from  this  owl,  perched  just  overhead,  ringing  in  your  ears, 
meets  instant  response  from  your  hair ! 

"In  summing  up  the  facts  relating  to  the  food  habits  of 
this  Owl  it  appears  that,  while  the  general  statements  of 


RAPTORES.  105 

certain  authors,  especially  the  earlier  ones,  charge  the  bird 
with  destruction  to  poultry,  game,  and  small  birds,  such  de- 
structive habits  are  comparatively  uncommon.  That  it 
does  occasionally  make  inroads  upon  poultry  yards,  and 
does  more  or  less  damage  among  game  birds,  is  true; 
but  the  systematic  collection  and  examination  of  a  large 
number  of  stomachs  show  the  exceptional  character  of  such 
acts  and  reveal  the  fact  that  the  larger  part  of  the  food 
consists  of  mammals.  And  it  is  to  be  noted  that  among  the 
list  are  some  of  the  most  destructive  rodents  the  farmer 
has  to  contend  with.  If  a  fair  balance  is  to  be  struck,  there- 
fore, it  must  be  considered  that  this  Owl  is  on  the  whole 
beneficial,  and  hence  should  occupy  a  place  on  the  list  of 
birds  to  be  protected."  (Fisher.) 

141.  (370.)     SCOTIAPTEX  NEBULOSA  ( Forst.) .  _  156. 

Great  Gray  Owl. 

Synonyms:     Syrnium    cinereum,   Ulula  cinerea,    S.   lapponicum 

var.  cinereum,  Strix  cinerea.     Scotiaptex  cinerea. 
Spectral  Owl. 
Kirkpatrick,  Ohio  Farmer,  VIII,  1859,  107. 

The  records  given  by  Dr.  Wheaton  remain  the  only  ones 
for  the  state.  They  are :  Mr.  Kirkpatrick,  Huntsburg,  Ge- 
auga  county;  and  Mr.  Charles  Dury,  Clarke  county.  It 
must  therefore  be  regarded  as  a  casual  visitor. 

142.  (372.)     NYCTALA  ACADICA    (Gmel.).     157. 

Saw-whet  Owl. 

Synonyms:     Nyctale  acadica,  Strix  acadica,  Ulula  acadica. 

Acadian  Owl. 
Audubon,  Orn.  Biog.,  II,  1834,  537. 

This  little  owl,  the  smallest  of  the  group  in  Ohio,  is  al- 
most wholly  a  winter  resident  in  the  state,  breeding  only 
rarely  in  the  northern  counties.  It  is  probably  more  numer- 
ous than  the  reports  show,  for  it  is  the  most  strictly  noctur- 
.nal  of  -.the -owls,  'and  therefore  seldom  seen.  Its  small  size 
is  also  a  good  protection  from  prying  eyes.  Like  the  Barred 
Owl,  it  has  no  ear  tufts.  It  seems  partial  to  evergreen 


106  BIRDS  OF  OHIO. 

woods,  but  has  been  found  on  several  occasions  in- an  out- 
hpuSe:6f  one  of  the  lake  sumrrier  resorts.  The  most  of  the 
reports  of  its  occurrence  fall  within  the  colder  part  off  the 
j^ear,  but  It  has  been  seen  at  Cincinnati  in  May  (Dury),"and 
it*  was  found  in  May  atLLicking  reservoir  (Dawson).  '•- 

"The  food  of  this  little  Owl  is  composed  almost  wholly  o£ 
mice,  of  which  the  wood-dwelling  species  seem  to  predomi- 
nate. 'At  times  it  attacks  larger  mammals,  such  as  rats,  half- 
grown  red  squirrels  and  chipmunks It  rarely  molests 

small  birds,  unless  its  favorite  food — mice — for  some  rea- 
son, is  scarce.  Occasionally  it  feeds  on  scraps  of  raw  or 
cooked  meat  which  it  has  been  observed  to  pick  up  in  the 
vicinity  of  camps,  and  in  winter,  in  the  north,  it  will  feed 
on  the  carcasses  of  comparatively  large  animals.  ....  It 
also  feeds  to  some  extent  on  insects  of  various  kinds.  Thus 
it  will  be  seen  that  while  the  diminutive  size  of  the  Saw- 
whet  limits  its  powers  of  usefulness,  its  mode  of  life  ren- 
ders it  a  useful  adjunct  to  the  farmer,  and,  small  though  it 
be,  yet  in  districts  where  it  abounds  the  number  of  mice  it 
annually  destroys  must  be  very  large."  (Fisher.) 

143.     (373.)     MEGASCOPS  ASIO  (Linn.).    158. 
Screech  Owl. 

Synonyms:     Scops  asio,  Strix  nsevia. 

Mottled  Owl,  Little  Horned  Owl,  Red  Owl. 
Kirtland,  Ohio  Geol.  Surv.,  1838,  161,  179. 

This  is  one  of  the  most  numerous  and  best  known  of  our 
owls,  and  is  the  bird  from  which  most  persons  get  their 
idea  of  what  an  owl  is  like.  In  the  more  settled  districts 
this  owl  seems  to  prefer  to  live  in  buildings  other  than 
dwellings,  or  in  hollow  shade  trees.  There  are  numerous 
instances  of  captures  during  the  evening  church  service 
which,  from  all  accounts,  left  neither  the  owl  nor  the  audi- 
ence in  a  worshipful  frame  of  mind !  The  natural  home  of 
the  Screech  Owl  is  the  deeper  woods,  where  it  frequently 
roosts  and  always  nests  in  hollows  in  trees.  It  also  spends 
the  day  in  some  thick  foliaged  tree.  On  the  Oberlin  Col^ 
iege  campus  a  male  is  in  the ;  habit  of  spending  the  day  in 


RAPTORES.  .10:7 

.art  evergreen  near  the  main  walk  leading  from  the  Library 
^to  the  Chapel  building.  His  presence  would  never  be.  sus- 
pected if  the  Blue  Jays  would  mind  their  own  business  ia- 
stead  of  his.  This  pair  rears  its  brood  in  the  loft  of  either 
'French  Hall  or  the  Chapel.*  /  .'.  | 

This  little  owl  may  be  known  by  its  conspicuous  ear  tufts 
and  reddish  or  grayish  mottled  plumage.  Its  quavering 
.call  is  often  heard  during  the  spring  months. 

"Their  food  consists  of  a  great  variety  of  animal  life, 
•  including  mammals,  birds,  reptiles,  batrachians,  fish,  crus- 
taceans,- and  insects Their  economic  relations,  there- 
fore, are  of  the  greatest  importance,  particularly  on  account 
rof  the  abundance  of  the  species  in  many  of  the  farming 
.districts,  and  whoever  destroys  them  through  ignorance  or 
prejudice  should  be  severely  condemned."  (Fisher.) 

144.     (375.)     BUBO  VIRGINIANUS     (Gmel.).     159. 
Great  Horned  Owl.  ,- 

•Synonyms:     Strix  virginanus.. 

Hoot  Owl,  Cat  Owl,  Hooter. 
Wilson,  Am.  Orn.,  1812,  52. 

r  This  is  the  largest  of  our  "horned"  owls,  and  is  generally 
reported  as  fairly  common  but  disappearing  near  the  large 
cities.  It  is  rare  in  Lorain  county,  but  three  individuals 
being  known  in  the  western  half  of  the  county.  Its  large 
size  should  make  it  a  conspicuous  bird.  I  have  found  it 
only  when  crows  and  hawks  have  routed  it  from  its  retreat. 
It  inhabits  the  larger,  heavier  woods,  and  is  hardly  more 
than  semi-nocturnal,  sometimes  feeding  by  day.  It  nests 
indifferently  in  open  nests  or  hollow  trees. 

It  may  be  known  at  a  glance  by  its  white  ihroat  patch, 
large  ear  tufrs  and  powerful  build. 

"The  food  of  this  species  is  of  great  variety ;  birds  and 
mammals  as  well  as  reptiles,  fish,  crustaceans,  and  insects 
contribute  to  its  fare.  Among  the  birds  most  often  taken 
may  be  mentioned  all  kinds  of  poultry  (including  half- 

*Since  the  above  was  written  the  chapel,  has  burned.  I  am 
glad  to  report  that  the  owl  escaped  unscorched. 


108  BIRDS   OF  OHIO. 

grown  turkeys),  grouse,  quail,  doves,  and  wild  ducks. 
Even  hawks,  crows,  and  other  owls  do  not  escape  the  vo- 
racity of  this  tiger  among  birds,  and  the  large  hawks  are 
among  those  attacked  and  eaten. 

"Of  all  the  birds  of  prey,  with  the  exception  possibly  of 
the  Goshawk  and  Cooper  Hawk,  the  Great  Horned  Owl 
is  the  most  destructive  to  poultry.  Ail  kinds  of  poultry 
seern  to  be  taken,  though  when  Guinea  fowls  and  turkeys 
are  obtainable  it  shows  a  preference  for  these."  (Fisher.) 
While  this  bird  does  a  great  deal  ot*  good  in  ridding  the 
country  of  injurious  animals,  its  natural  taste  for  poultry 
sounds  its  death  knell.  We  must  feel  a  sort  of  compassion 
for  him  in  his  unequal  struggle  for  life.  He  sees  no  reason 
for  changing  his  manner  of  life  and  we  cannot  overlook  his 
failings. 

145.     (376.)     NYCTEA  NYCTEA    (Linn.).     160. 

Snowy  Owl. 
Synonyms:     Nyctale  scandica,   Nyctea   scandiaca,   N.   nivea,   N. 

scandiaca  var.  arctica,  Surnia  nyctea. 
White  Owl. 
Wilson,  Am.  Orn.  IV,  1812,  53. 

The  Snowy  Owl  visits  the  state  only  in  winter  and  even 
then  in  small  numbers  unless  there  be  some  special  provoca- 
tion in  the  matter  of  failure  of  food  supply  farther  north. 
It  occasionally  wanders  completely  across  the  state,  but  is 
clearly  more  numerous  along  the  lake  shore  than  in  the 
interior.  It  also  seems  to  be  more  numerous  in  the  western 
third  than  farther  east.  We  could  hardly  expect  to  find  it 
except  when  the  ground  is  covered,  and  the  weather  cold. 

This  bird  is  not  pure  white,  but  so  near  that  color  as  to 
appear  white.  No  one  would  confuse  it  with  any  other 
species  of  birds. 

The  favorite  food  of  this  large,  smooth-headed  owl  seems 
to  be  mice  and  other  rodents  and  fish.  Its  numbers  in  Ohio 
are  too  small  to  make  it  of  any  appreciable  benefit,  but  it 
must  be  regarded  as  more  beneficial  than  injurious.  It 
probably  does  eat  birds,  and  may  even  catch  poultry  on  a 
pinch,  but  the  numbers  captured  are  very  small. 


COCCYGES.  109 

146.  (377a.)     SURNIA  ULULA  CAPAROCH  (Mull.).    161. 

American  Hawk  Owl. 

Synonyms:     Surnia  ulula  var.   hudsonia    S.   funerea,    S.   uliila, 

Strix  ulula,  S.  hudsonia,  S.  caparoch. 
Hawk  Owl,  Day  Owl. 
Kirkpatrick,  Ohio  Farmer,  VIII,  1859,  67. 

The  above  reference  and  the  remark  that  "Mr.  Langdon 
thinks  that  he  has  seen  this  species  at  St.  Mary's  reservoir," 
are  all  that  Dr.  Wheaton  knew  of  this  species  as  an  Ohio 
bird.  There  is  a  specimen  in  Mr.  R.  E.  Jump's  collection, 
captured  near  Oberlin  some  twenty  years  ago.  Messrs.  C. 
H.  Morris  and  E.  J.  Arrick  report  one  in  Morgan  county 
during  the  winter  1901-02,  which  was  not  captured.  It 
therefore  appears  that  the  .only  specimen  which  can  be  ex- 
amined is  the  Jump  specimen. 

This  owl  is  so  named  because  in  appearance  and  habits 
of  feeding  it  resembles  a  hawk  more  closely  than  an  owl. 
In  habits  it  is  almost  wholly  diurnal,  feeding  and  flying 
from  place  to  place  in  broad  day. 

While  in  the  state  its  food  consists  of  small  mammals 
and  birds.  It  is  probably  somewhat  injurious,  but  its  num- 
bers are  so  small  as  to  count  for  nothing  economically. 

ORDER  COCCYGES.     Cuckoos  and  Kingfishers. 

SUBORDER  CUCULI.     Cuckoos. 

Family  CUCULID^:.     Cuckoos. 

147.  (387.)     COCCYZUS  AMERICANUS    (Linn.).     149. 

Yellow-billed  Cuckoo. 
Synonyms:     Cuculus  americanus. 

Rain  Cuckoo,  Rain  Crow,  Rain  Pigeon,  Wood  Pigeon,  Cow- 
cow,  Indian-hen. 
Kirtland,  Ohio  Geol.  Surv.,  1838,  162. 

This  is  the  commoner  of  the  two  cuckoos  in  Ohio,  and 
seems  to  be  pretty  uniformly  distributed  over  the  state 
during  the  summer.  There  is  no  evidence  of  an  appreciable 
change  in  numbers  since  Dr.  Wheaton's  catalogue  was  pub- 
lished. 


BIRDS  OF  OHIO. 

It  is  well  known  that  the  cuckoos  are  fond  of  the  " 
caterpillars,  and  destroy  great  numbers  of  them.  I  have 
seen  one  bird  disposed  of  a  moderate  sized  colony  of  .tent 
caterpillars  at  one  sitting,  in  the  nesting  season.  Both 
cuckoos  deserve  protection  and  good  treatment  for  their 
services  in  ridding  us  of  many  insects  which  most  other 
:  birds  will  not  touch. 

This  is  the  darker  of  the  two  species,  and  in  flight  the 
wings  show  the  rufous  of  the  inner  vanes  of  the  feathers. 
The  call  is  on  a  lower  key,  is  given- slower  and  is  not 
phrased.  It  is  only  after  some  experience  with  the  cuckoos 
that  one  can  hope  to  be  certain  which  species  he  has  afield. 

The  migration  records  are  far  from  satisfactory.  They 
make  it  appear  that  the  first  arrive  in  the  state  shortly 
after  the  first  of  May  and  the  last  tarry  until  the  third  week 
in  September.  I  have  to  say,  however,  that  I  have  repeat- 
edly found  nests  with  eggs  almost  ready  to  hatch  the  first 
week  in  May,  thus  indicating  an  early  April  arrival. 

148.     (388.)     COCCYZUS      ERYTHROPHTHALMUS      (Wils.). 

150. 
Black-billed  Cuckoo. 

Synonyms:     Cuculus  erythropthalmus. 

Rain  Crow,  Rain  Dove,  Chow-chow,  Cow-cow. 
Audubon,  Orn.  Biog.,  I,  1831,  170. 

Dr.  Wheaton's  statement  that  this  cuckoo  is  a  very  com- 
mon summer  resident  throughout  the  state  is  no  longer  ap- 
plicable. The  reports  from  observers  are  nearly  uniform  in 
pronouncing  it  decidedly  less  common  than  the  preceding 
species.  In  habits  it  is  practically  the  same  as  the  Yellow- 
billed.  The  cry  is  phrased  instead  of  being  uttered  in  a 
uniform  monotone. 


PICI.  Ill 

SUBORDER  ALCYONES.    Kingfishers. 
Family  ALCEDINID^:.     Kingfishers. 

149.  (390.)     CERLYLE  ALYCON  .(Linn.).     148. 

Belted   Kingfisher. 

Synonyms:     Alcedo  alcyon. 

Kingfisher,  Fisher. 
Wilson,  Am.  Orn.,  Ill,  1811,  59. 

The  Kingfisher  is  a  resident  in  favorable  places,  where 
open  water  may  be  found  the  winter  through,  and  where 
fish  are  plentiful ;  but  it  is  not  known  as  a  winter  bird  from 
most  localities,  simply  because  open  water  is  not  found  in 
the  coldest  weather.  In  Lorain  county  there  is  no  open 
water,  regularly,  even  along  the  lake  shore,  where  fish  can 
be  found;*  but  at  Norwalk  a  pool  which  is  fed  by  warm 
water  from  a  manufacturing  plant  furnishes  at  least  one 
Kingfisher  with  winter  rations.  In  the  southern  part  of 
the  state  it  is  more  commonly  found  all  winter  and  summer. 
Migrants  reach  Oberlin  about  the  middle  of  March. 

The  Kingfisher  feeds  entirely  upon  fish,  but  cannot  be 
considered  in  any  degree  injurious  to  the  fishing  industry. 

*Since  the  above  was  written  a  pool  of  open  water  has  been 
discovered  about  two  miles  north  of  Elyria  where  a  Kingfisher 
spends  the  winter. 

ORDER  PICI.     Woodpeckers,  Sapsuckers  and  Flickers. 
Family  PICID^E.     Woodpeckers. 

150.  (393.)     DRYOBATES  VILLOSUS    (Linn.).     14Q, 

Hairy  Woodpecker. 

Synonyms:     Picus  villosus,  P.  rubricapillus. 

"Sapsucker." 
Kirtland,  Ohio  Geol.  Surv.,  1838,  162. 

This  is  a  common  resident  throughout  the  state,  but  ap- 
parently is  less  common  in  summer  than  in  winter.  Its 
secretive  habits  during  the  nesting  season  probably  give  a 
false  impression.  This  and  the  next  species  frequent  the 


112  BIRDS  OF  OHIO. 

orchards  and  shade  trees  during  the  winter  and  spring, 
sometimes  nesting  in  old  apple  trees.  Their  search  after 
insects  within  the  bark  of  trees  has  earned  for  them  the  mis- 
taken title  of  Sapsucker,  and  with  the  title  a  measure  of 
persecution.  It  is  doubtful  whether  either  of  these  birds 
have  ever  done  as  much  damage  as  good  to  the  tree  from 
which  they  have  taken  injurious  insects.  Wood-boring 
beetles,  both  adults  and  larvae,  caterpillars,  mostly  tree-bur- 
rowing, and  wood-boring  ants  comprise  the  chief  summer 
'food.  It  is  therefore  clear  that  this  woodpecker  is  one  of 
our  best  preservers  of  the  forests.  In  winter  they  may  eat 
nuts,  frozen  fruit,  and  weed  seeds  when  insects  are  hard  to 
find.  They  also  eat  the  inner  bark  of  some  trees. 

There  seems  to  be  no  direct  evidence  that  this  and  the 
next  species  migrate  at  all. 

151.  (394c.)  DRYOBATES  PUBESCENS  MEDIANUS   (Swains.). 

141. 
Downy  Woodpecker. 

Synonyms:      Picus   pubescens,     P.   medianus,  Dryobates   pubes- 

cens. 

"Sapsucker,"  Little  Sapsucker,  Small  Sapsucker. 
Kirtland,  Ohio  Geol.  Surv.,  1838,  162,  179. 

This  is  the  more  familiar  and  better  known  of  our  two 
small  winter  woodpeckers.  A  little  encouragement  in  the 
way  of  broken  nut  meats  or  suet  tied  or  nailed  to  some  tree 
or  board  placed  for  that  purpose,  will  make  him  a  regular 
winter  visitor  even  to  the  window  sill.  In  summer  he  is 
likely  to  choose  a  useless  apple  tree  for  his  nest,  if  not 
startled  away. 

This  and  the  preceding  species  troop  through  the  woods, 
in  winter,  with  the  Chickadees,  Tufted  Tits,  Nuthatches, 
and  Goldfinches,  and  often  others,  making  an  otherwise 
dreary  waste  of  timber  full  of  life  and  interest. 

In  habits  this  little  woodpecker  resembles  the  Hairy 
closely,  eating  the  same  kind  of  food.  It  may  be  known 
from  the  Hairy  by  its  smaller  size  and  weaker  bill,  and 
higher  pitched  voice. 


PICI.  113 

152.  (400.)     PICOIDES  ARCTICUS  (Swains.).     142. 

Arctic  Three-toed  Woodpecker. 

Synonyms:     Picus  (Apternus)  arcticus. 

Black-backed  Woodpecker,  Black-backed  Three-toed  Wood- 
pecker, Ladder-backed  Woodpecker,  Banded-backed  Three- 
toed  Woodpecker. 

Wheaton,  Ohio  Agri.  Report,  1860,  379,  hypothetical. 
Baird,  Brewer,  Ridgway,  II,  1874,  531. 

The  specimen  reported  by  Dr.  Brewer  in  the  second  ci- 
tation above,  was  taken  at  Akron,  Summit  county.  Ober- 
lin  College  has  since  come  into  possession  of  a  specimen 
collected  and  mounted  by  Mr.  John  C.  Catlin  at  Ravenna, 
Portage  county.  It  is  not  unlikely  that  Mr.  Catlin  secured 
his  specimen  first,  but  this  is  the  first  mention  of  it  in  print. 

Prof.  J.  S.  Hine,  of  Columbus,  gives  it  as  occasional  in 
Franklin  county. 

It  would  occur  only  in  severe  winters. 

153.  (402.)     SPHYRAPICUS  VARIUS    (Linn.).     143. 

Yellow-bellied  Sapsucker. 

Synonyms:     Picus  varius. 

Yellow-bellied  Woodpecker,  Sapsucker,  Common  Sapsucker. 
Wilson,  Am.  Orn.,  I,  1808,  147. 

This  is  the  true  "Sapsucker,"  and  should  not  be  confused 
with  our  familiar  winter  woodpeckers.  It  feeds  upon  the 
sap  of  the  maple  and  pine  trees  in  spring,  and  often  causes 
some  damage  to  the  trees,  sometimes  girdling  the  tree  with 
one  or  more  rows  of  holes.  It  is  undoubtedly  true  that  the 
insects  which  swarm  about  the  exuding  sap  are  also  eaten, 
so  the  object  which  the  woodpecker  has  in  view  in  tapping 
the  tree  may  be  twofold.  During  the  rest  of  the  year  the 
birds  eat  insects,  some  mast,  the  inner  bark  of  trees,  and 
such  vegetable  food  as  can  be  found. 

It  is  common  as  a  migrant  across  the  state,  both  spring 
and  autumn,  but  nests  in  small  numbers  in  the  northern 
part  of  the  state.  It  winters  in  small  numbers  in  the  south- 
west corner,  reaching  the  lake  shore  in  the  northward  mi- 
gration during  the  middle  of  March.  It  crosses  the  state 


114  BIRDS  OF  OHIO. 

again  during  the  first  half  of  October.     A  few  individuals 
remain  in  almost  any  locality  all  winter. 

154.  (405a.)     CEOPHLCEUS    PILEATUS   ABIETICOLA    Bangs. 

144. 
Northern   Pileated  Woodpecker. 

Synonyms:      Hylotomus    pileatus,     Picus    pileatus,     Ceophloeus 

pileatus. 

Pileated  Woodpecker,  Logcock,  Woodcock,  Big  Black  Wood- 
pecker, Black  Woodpecker,  King  of  the  Woods,  Cock  of 
the  Woods. 
Kirtland,  Ohio  Geol.  Surv.,  1838,  162. 

The  decrease  in  the  numbers  of  this  species  heralded  by 
Dr.  Wheaton  in  1882,  has  gone  on  steadily,  but  less  rapidly 
than  during  his  long  term  of  study.  From  all  reports  it  is 
now  almost  gone  from  the  northwestern  parts  of  the  state, 
but  can  be  found  in  the  eastern  and  middle-southern  parts 
where  some  heavy  timber  is  still  allowed  to  stand.  The 
cutting  down  of  a  large  tract  of  swampy  woods  in  Ashta- 
bula  county  has  driven  some  of  the  birds  remaining  there 
to  the  woods  surrounding  Jefferson,  where  Mr.  Robert  J. 
Sim  enjoyed  the  rare  opportunity  of  watching  a  pair  at 
their  household  affairs  during  last  spring.  The  writer  saw 
the  tree,  in  September  of  the  same  year,  and  listened  to  the 
weird  laugh  of  the  birds.  If  the  woods  are  doomed  the 
Pileated  Woodpecker's  days  are  numbered.  We  cannot  but 
mourn  the  passing  of  this  majestic  "King  of  the  Woods." 

The  food  consists  principally  of  the  larvae  of  wood-boring 
beetles,  ants,  and  wild. fruits.  It  is,  therefore,  one  of  our 
best  forest  preservers. 

155.  (406.)   MELANERPES  ERYTHROCEPHALUS   (Linn.)   146. 

Red-headed  Woodpecker. 

Synonyms:     Picus  erythrocephalus. 

Red-head,  Tricolor. 
Kirtland,  Ohio  Geol.  Surv.,  1838,  162. 

The  Red-head  is  one  of  our  commonest  summer  birds.  It 
may  fairly  be  called  abundant  after  the  young  have  left  the 


PICI.  11.5 

nest,  and  until  the  first  frosts  give  warning  of  the  coming 
winter.  It  reaches  southern  Ohio  about  the  25th  of  April, 
and  the  northern  counties  within  three  days  afterward. 
Frequently  a  few  individuals  remain  all  winter  even  at  the 
lake  shore,  but  the  majority  have -left  the  northern  regions 
before  the  last  of  September. 

The  Red-head  is  not  quite  a  true  woodpecker,  since  he 
does  not  search  the  bark  of  trees  for  insects  and  worms  as 
much  as  he  looks  for  them  on  posts  and  such  surfaces,  but 
he  has  developed  the  flycatcher  habit  of  darting  out  for  fly- 
.ing  insects,  catching  them  as  adroitly  as  any  Kingbird.  The 
late  General  J.  D.  Cox  told  with  evident  relish  how  as  a  boy 
he  took  advantage  of  this  flycatching  habit  to  catch  the  bird. 
By  tossing  a  small  stone  up  past  the  bird  alert  upon  the  top 
of  some  broken  topped  dead  tree,  as  the  stone  fell  downward 
the  bird  would  invariably  dart  out  to  catch  it,  but  was 
stunned  and  fluttered  to  the  ground  only  to  be  pounced 
upon  and  carried  off  in  triumph  by  the  young  general! 

"The  Red-head  makes  the  best  showing  in  the  kinds  of 
insects  eaten.  It  consumes  fewer  ants  and  more  beetles  than 
any  of  the  other  species,  in  this  respect  standing  at  the  head, 
and  it  has  a  pronounced  taste  for  beetles  of  very  large  size. 
Unfortunately,  however,  its  fondness  for  predaceous  beetles 
must  be  reckoned  against  it.  It  also  leads  in  the  consumption 
of  grasshoppers  ;  these  and  beetles  together  forming  36  per 
cent,  of  its  whole  food."  (Beal.)  It  also  eats  a  little  corn, 
a  good  deal  of  wild  and  cultivated  fruit,  and  beech-nuts.  It 
does  not  injure  trees  by  pecking  them.  The  nest  is  dug  out 
of  almost  any  woody  substance,  preferably  a  tree,  but  fre- 
quently a  post  will  do  as  well. 

156.     (409.)     CENTURUS  CAROLINUS   (Linn.).     145. 

Red-bellied  Woodpecker. 
Synonyms:      Melanerpes   carolinus,   Picus   carolinus. 

Zebra     Bird,     Guinea     Woodpecker,     Carolina  Woodpecker, 
Checkered     Woodpecker,     Zebra     Woodpecker,      Orange 
Woodpecker  or  Sapsucker. 
Wilson,  Am.  Orn.,  I,  1808,  113. 

The  Red-bellied    Woodpecker    is  fairly    common  in  the 


116  BIRDS  OF  OHIO. 

southern  part  of  the  state,  but  less  numerous  in  the  northern 
part.  It  is  a  resident  everywhere,  nesting  in  the  deeper 
woods. 

In  addition  to  its  usual  diet  of  insects  and  worms  it  is  a 
lover  of  ripe  apples,  and  in  winter  finds  acorns  and  beech- 
nuts good  forage.  It  has  been  detected  in  the  act  of  storing 
away  acorns  and  nuts  for  winter  consumption. 

157.     (412a.)     COLAPTES  AURATUS  LUTEUS  Bangs.    147. 
Northern  Flicker. 

Synonyms:     Colaptes  auratus,  Picus  auratus    Cuculus  auratus. 
Golden-winged  Woodpecker,  Flicker,  High-holder.     For  the 
remainder  of  the  125  English  synonyms  see  "The  Wilson 
Bulletin,"  No.  31,  for  sale  by  the  author  at  25  cents  a  copy. 

Kirtland,  Ohio  Geol.  Surv.,  1838.  162. 

The  Flicker  is  probably  strictly  migratory  in  its  habits, 
in  spite  of  the  fact  that  it  is  resident  throughout  the  state — 
in  small  numbers  in  the  north,  common  in  the  south.  It  is 
abundant  as  a  migrant,  but  hardly  more  than  common  dur- 
ing the  nesting  season.  In  winter  it  will  eat  anything  that 
can  be  found.  In  summer  it  seems  to  crave  ants,  of  which  it 
consumes  quantities.  During  harvest  days  it  becomes  lazy 
and  then  feeds  on  the  ground  like  a  Meadowlark,  catch- 
ing the  young  grasshoppers  and  crickets  and  fattening  upon 
them.  It  must  be  classed  among  the  distinctly  useful  birds, 
both  as  a  destroyer  of  insects  and  as  an  alarm  clock  if  you 
have  been  so  unwise  as  to  cover  any  part  of  your  roof  with 
tin !  3  :30  in  spring,  4 :00  in  summer  and  4 :30  in  autumn  are 
the  hours  which  he  loudly  heralds  for  the  beginning  of  day. 
You  can't  drive  him  away. 

The  migrating  host  of  Flickers  reaches  northern  Ohio 
during  the  third  week  in  March.  Its  numbers  are  con- 
siderable up  to  the  middle  of  October,  or  even  the  first  of 
November. 


MACROCHIRES.  117 

ORDER  MACROCHIRES.   Goatsuckers,  Swifts,  Humming- 
birds. 

SUBORDER  CAPRIMULGI.  Goatsuckers. 
Family  CAPRI MULGIDJE.     Nighthawk  and  Whippoorwill. 

158.  (417.)     ANTROSTOMUS  VOCIFERUS  (Wils.).     138. 

Whip-poor-will. 

Synonyms:     Caprimulgus  vociferus. 

Night-Jar. 
Kirtland,  Ohio  Geol.  Surv.,  1838,  162,  180. 

The  Whip-poor-will  is  decidedly  local  in  its  distribution, 
being  common  at  one  place  and  unknown  at  another  not  far 
away,  with  no  apparent  reason.  It  is  strictly  nocturnal  in 
habits,  and  is  therefore  more  often  heard  than  seen.  Even 
when  flushed  in  daylight  it  flies  but  a  few  rods  and  settles 
down  again,  trusting  to  its  protective  coloration  for  conceal- 
ment. So  perfectly  does  its  plumage  and  posture  simulate  a 
part  of  a  log,  or  a  knot  on  a  log,  that  it  is  perfectly  hidden 
from  all  but  practiced  and  discriminating  eyes.  Being 
strictly  insectivorous  it  is  strictly  migratory  in  habits,  reach- 
ing southern  Ohio  during  the  third  week  in  April  and  the 
northern  counties  shortly  after  the  first  of  May.  It  has  left 
the  state  by  September  22. 

In  northern  Ohio  one  must  look  for  the  Whip-poor-will  in 
the  wilder  and  rougher  parts  of  the  region.  River  gorges 
and  rocky  bluffs  may  harbor  numbers  of  pairs. 

159.  (420.)     CHORDEILES  VIRGINIANUS  (Gmel.).    139. 

Nighthawk. 

Synonyms:     Chordeiles    popetue,    Caprimulgus    virginianus,    C. 

popetue  var.  popetue. 

Bull  Bat,  Goatsucker,  Night  Jar,  Mosquito-hawk,  Pisk. 
Kirtland,  Ohio  Geol.  Surv.,  1838,  162. 

Contrary  to  its  name,  the  Nighthawk  is  not  strictly  noc- 
turnal, but  is  rather  a  bird  of  the  twilight  and  dark  days,  but 
it  is  frequently  seen  at  broad  day,  particularly  during  the 
season  of  southward  migration.  It  is  more  numerous  dur- 


118  BIRDS  OF  OHIO. 

ing  twilight,  when  it  may  be  seen  leisurely  flitting  about  in 
crazy  fashion  gathering  its  harvest  of  flying  insects,  with  an 
occasional  quick  dart  here  or  there  after  some  larger  and 
quicker  prey.  It  is  strictly  migratory,  reaching  our  southern 
border  about  the  first  of  May,  arid  the  lake  shore  a  week  lat- 
er; departing  southward  again  about  the  middle  of  Septem- 
ber. It  is  thus  a  little  later  in  appearing  and  a  little  earlier 
in  leaving  than  Whip-poor-will. 

In  northern  Ohio,  at  least,  it  seems  to  nest  preferably  on 
the  tops  of  our  taller  city  buildings.  I  have  yet  to  learn  of 
a  nest  that  has  been  found  in  the  woods  within  thirty  miles, 
of  Cleveland. 

The  Whip-poor-will  and  Nighthawk  take  up  the  destruc- 
tion of  insects  where  the  swallows  and  flycatchers  leave  it. 
We  could  wish  there  were  more  of  all  kinds  of  insect  eaters, 
particularly  those  which  feed  at  night. 

SUBORDER  CYPSELI.     Swifts. 
Family  MICROPODIDJE.     Swifts. 

160.     (423.)     CII^ETURA  PELAGICA  (Linn.).     137. 
Chimney  Swift. 

Synonyms:     Hirundo  pelasgia,  H.   pelagica,   Cyp.selus   pelasgius, 

Chsetura  pelasgica. 

Chimney  Swallow,  Common  Swift,  Swift. 
Wilson,  Am.  Orn.,  V,  1812,  48. 

This  familiar  bird  is  pronounced  abundant  over  the  entire 
state.  It  nests  in  the  smaller  cliimneys,  and  roosts  in  com- 
munities in  the  larger  chimneys.  I  find  no  records  of  nest- 
ing in  hollow  trees.  Dr.  Wheaton  speaks  of  the  probabili- 
ty that  a  few  pairs  nested  in  an  old  hollow  tree  three  miles 
east  of  Columbus,  prior  to  1882. 

The  Swifts  reach  Ohio  about  the  middle  of  April,  and 
'Seem  to  distribute  themselves  pretty  generally  at  once.  Mi- 
gration dates  for  the  southern  and  northern  counties  do  not 
differ  materially.  They  do  not  leave  the  vicinity  of  Oberlin 
until  mid-October,  sometimes  lingering  well  into  the  third 
week. 


MACROCHIRES.  119 

Presumably  the  Swifts  must  rest  at  some  time,  but  when 
seems  a  mystery.  We  see  them  only  on  the  wing,  never 
perched,  unless  it  be  in  a  chimney  near  or  on  the  nest.  Of 
course  their  food  consists  entirely  of  flying  insects  captured 
while  flying.  No  one  ever  questioned  the  usefulness  of  this 
strong-winged  bird. 

SUBORDER  TROCHILI.     Hummingbirds. 
Family  TROCHILID^E.     Hummingbirds. 

161.     (428.)     TROCHILUS  COLUBRIS  Linn.    136. 

Ruby-throated  Hummingbird. 
Kirtland,  Ohio  Geol.  Surv.,  1838,  164. 

This  is  the  only  Hummingbird  which  ever  visits  Ohio. 
It  is  common  all  summer  over  the  entire  state,  nesting  either 
near  dwellings  or  in  the  woods  as  fancy  may  dictate.  The 
head  contains  no  poison  gland,  so  the  thrust  of  the  beak  is 
not  poisonous  unless  the  bird  has  just  been  feeding  upon 
some  plant  whose  blossom  is  poisonous, 

The  Hummingbird  is  not  one  of  the  strongest  winged 
birds,  but  frequently  perches  for  rest.  It  has  brought  to  per- 
fection the  art  of  hovering  and  darting  as  well  as  forward 
flight,  but  cannot  soar.  It  is  a  great  fighter  in  its  way,  eas- 
ily putting  to  rout  Catbirds,  Robins  and  Blue  Jays ;  not  by 
striking  with  either  wings  or  beak  (its  feet  are  too  small 
and  weak  to  be  used  in  that  way),  but  by  hovering  and  danc- 
ing close  to  the  bird  which  it  chooses  to  put  to  flight.  The 
buzzing,  jiggling  movement  seems  to  confuse  its  adversary. 

The  Hummer  reaches  our  southern  border  about  the  first 
of  May,  but  is  a  week  later  at  the  lake  shore.  It  leaves  the 
state  about  the  middle  of  September,  often  tarrying  a  little 
longer  at  the  south. 

Probably  no  bird  could  long  live  upon  a  diet  of  honey 
alone.  It  must  certainly  be  true  that  the  Hummingbird  eats 
honey,  because  its  tongue  is  made  that  way,  but  it  is  just  as 
true  that  it  eats  insects  which  it  finds  in  the  blossoms  with 
the  honey.  It  is  therefore  a  useful  bird  as  well  as  a  pleasing 
feature  of  our  flower  gardens. 


120  BIRDS  OF  OHIO. 

ORDER  PASSERES.     Perching  Birds. 

SUBORDER  CLAMATORES.    Songless  Perching  Birds. 

Family  TYRANNIDyE.     Tyrant   Flycatchers. 

The  birds  which  belong  to  this  family  are  preeminently 
flycatchers,  but  while  they  feed  so  largely  upon  flying  in- 
sects, catching  them  in  mid-air  by  a  sally  from  some  position 
where  they  have  been  waiting,  they  also  eat  wild  fruits  in 
their  season  to  some  extent.  Sometimes  they  descend  to 
the  ground  to  pick  up  insects  seen  there.  The  only  member 
of  the  family  about  which  complaints  have  been  made  is  the 
Kingbird.  He  is  fond  of  honey  bees, 'and  will  sometimes 
nearly  destroy  a  hive  if  not  interrupted  in  his  feast.  As  a 
group  the  flycatchers  are  among  our  most  useful  insect  de- 
stroyers, supplementing  the  work  of  the  swallows  and 
Nighthawk,  Whip-poor-will,  and  Chimney  Swift. 

162.  (444.)     TYRANNUS  TYRANNUS  (Linn.).     127. 

Kingbird. 

Synonyms:     Tyrannus  carolinensis,  T.  intrepidus,  Muscicapa  ty- 

rannus,  Lanius  tyrannus. 

Bee  Martin,  Bee  Bird,  Tyrant  Flycatcher,  Tyrant. 
Kirtland,  Ohio  Geol.  Surv.,  1838,  163. 

The  Kingbird  is  well  known  to  all.  It  is  common  during 
the  summer  in  all  parts  of  the  state.  While  it  may  be  harm- 
ful in  some  individual  cases  to  bee  raisers,  it  is  a  decidedly 
useful  bird  in  general. 

The  Kingbird  reaches  the  Ohio  river  about  April  20,  and 
Lake  Erie  five  days  later.  It  remains  only  until  the  first 
week  in  September. 

163.  (452.)     MYIARCHUS  CRINITUS  (Linn.).      128. 

Crested  Flycatcher. 

Synonyms:     Musicapa  crinita,  Tyrannus  crinitus. 

Great  Crested  Flycatcher. 
Kirtland,  Ohio  Geol.  Surv.,  1838,  163. 

This  bird  is  almost  as  well  known  as  the  Kingbird,  from 
which  it  may  be  easily  distinguished  by  the  reddish  instead 


PASSERES — TYRANNnXE.  121 

of  white-tipped  tail.  It  has  taken  a  notion  to  the  orchards, 
frequently  nesting  in  the  hollow  apple  trees,  in  spite  of  the 
English  Sparrow. 

Its  arrival  follows  that  of  Kingbird  within  five  days,  both 
in  the  south  and  north.  It  generally  lingers  longer  in  au- 
tumn, not  infrequently  tarrying  until  mid-October  at  Ober- 
lin. 

164.  (456.)     SAYORNIS  PHCEBE  (Lath.).    129. 

Phoebe. 

Synonyms:  Sayornis  fuscus,  Muscicapa  fuscus,  Tyranmis  fuscus. 
Pewee,    Pewit,    Bridge    Pewee,    Water    Pewee,    Pewit    Fly- 
catcher, Phoebe  Bird,  Barn  Pewee,  House  Pewee. 
Kirtland,  Ohio  Geol.  Surv.,  1838,  163. 

The  Phoebe  is  almost  a  household  bird  in  many  parts  of 
the  state,  nesting  in  barns  and  out-buildings.  It  also  selects 
bridges,  but  still  clings  to  its  ancient  nesting  places  when 
possible.  Almost  any  rocky  bluff  furnishes  a  home  for  one 
or  more  pairs  of  Phoebes,  whether  a  river  gorge,  a  deserted 
quarry,  or  a  natural  rock  face. 

While  a  true  flycatcher  it  is  one  of  the  early  spring  birds, 
not  infrequently  announcing  its  arrival  before  the  20th  of 
March  at  the  lake  shore.  It  rarely  departs  for  the  south 
before  the  leaves  have  fallen  from  the  trees,  which  is  late 
October. 

During  the  cold,  snowy  days  of  late  March  I  have  found 
Phoebe  in  the  deep  woods  gleaning  from  the  blossoms  of 
the  witch-hazel,  or  apparently  eating  the  buds  from  a  lin- 
den tree. 

165.  (459.)     NUTTALORNIS  BOREALIS  (Swains.).     130. 

Olive-sided  Flycatcher. 

Synonyms:     Sayornis  borealis,  Tyranmis  borealis. 
Wheaton,  Ohio  Agri.  Report,  1860,  1861,  379,  480. 

I  find  no  records  for  this  flycatcher  east  of  Clarke  county. 
While  Dr.  Wheaton  throws  some  doubt  upon  the  admissi- 
bility  of  the  records  upon  which  he  gave  the  species  a  place 
in  his  catalogue,  except  Dr.  Langdon's  statement  for  1877, 


122  BIRDS   OF  OHIO. 

there  can  be  no  reasonable  question  that  it  is  a  rare  migrant 
in  the  western  third  of  the  state. 

166.  (461.)     CONTOPUS  VIRENS  (Linn.).    131. 

Wood  Pewee. 

Synonyms:      Muscicapa  virens,  Tyrannus  virens. 

Pewee,  Pewee  Flycatcher. 
Kirtland,  Ohio  Geol.  Surv.,  1838,  163. 

Wood  Pewee  is  more  than  common.  In  northern  Ohio  it 
is  easily  the  most  numerous  of  any  of  our  flycatchers,  be- 
cause found  everywhere  where  there  are  trees,  except  in  the 
deep  woods,  and  where  found  it  is  too  numerous  to  escape 
the  notice  of  the  most  inattentive.  Its  plaintive  call  must 
be  familiar  to  every  one.  It  is  probably  less  numerous  in 
the  more  hilly  south-eastern  parts  of  the  state. 

Wood  Pewee  is  among  the  later  arrivals  from  the  south, 
rarely  appearing  in  the  southern  counties  before  May  5th, 
and  in  the  north  not  seldom  as  late  as  the  10th.  It  remains 
with  us  in  Lorain  county  until  the  middle  of  September,  but 
tarries  until  October  along  our  southern  border. 

167.  (463.)     EMPIDONAX  FLAVIVENTRIS  Baird.     132. 

Yellow-bellied  Flycatcher. 
Synonyms:     Tyrannula  flaviventris. 
Kirkpatrick,  Ohio  Farmer,  IX,  1860,  139. 

Dr.  Wheaton  speaks  of  this  species  as  "A  common  spring 
and  fall  migrant,"  apparently  meaning  over  the  entire  state. 
I  have  never  found  it  in  Lorain  county,  although  it  has  been 
taken  there.  It  is  not  well  known  if  a  common  migrant. 
Probably  it  has  greatly  decreased  in  numbers  since  Dr. 
Wheaton  laid  down  his  work.  I  find  no  records  of  its  breed- 
ing within  the  state. 

Dr.  Wheaton  states  that  this  flycatcher  is  different  in  hab- 
its from  the  other  small  flycatchers,  in  that  it  frequents 
fence-rows  and  is  timid,  darting  into  a  thicket  and  remain- 
ing hidden  when  one  approaches.  This  may  account  for 
its  apparent  scarcity. 


PASSERES TYRANNID^E.  123 

168.  (465.)     EMPIDONAX  VIRESCENS  (Vieill.).     133. 

Green-crested  Flycatcher. 

Synonyms:     Empidonax    acadicus,    Tyrannus    acadicus,    Platyr- 

hinchos  virescens. 

Acadian  Flycatcher,  Small  Green-crested  Flycatcher. 
Kirtlan.d,.0hio  Geol.  Surv.,  1838,  163. 

Apparently  more  pairs  of  this  woods  haunting  flycatcher 
nest  in  the  northen  half  of  the  state  than  in  the  southern 
half.  It  is  fairly  common  everywhere,  but  may  almost  be 
called  abundant  in  the  heavier  woods  in  the  north.  Its 
small  size  and  weak  voice  cause  it  to  be  overlooked  by  many 
who  should  know  it. 

In  its  northward  migration  it  reaches  the  lake  shore  about 
the  first  of  May,  and  does  not  return  south  before  the  second 
week  in  September. 

169.  (466.)     EMPIDONAX  TRAILLII  (Aud.).    134. 

Traill  Flycatcher. 

Synonyms:     Empidonax  pusillus  traillii,  Tyrannus  traillii,  Mus- 

cicapa  traillii. 
Little  Flycatcher. 
Read,  Fam.  Visitor,  III,   1853,   359. 

This  is  another  little  known  species,  probably  rather  be- 
cause it  is  so  difficult  to  distinguish  between  the  small  fly- 
catchers unless  one  knows  the  song,  than  because  the  bird 
is  rare.  As  a  migrant  it  seems  to  be  fairly  common  in  most 
counties,  but  only  a  few  remain  to  breed  in  the  southern 
tier  of  counties.  I  found  it  breeding  in  considerable  num- 
bers at  Licking  reservoir  and  at  Lewiston  reservoir.  It 
prefers  a  willow  or  alder  fringed  lake  or  marsh  for  its  sum- 
mer home.  A  short  distance  from  such  places  it  may  not 
be  found  at  all. 

This  is  one  of  the  last  of  the  migratory  birds  to  appear ; 
sometimes  not  reaching  northern  Ohio  before  the  middle  of 
May,  rarely  before  the  10th  day.  It  is  gone  again  by  the 
first  of  September. 


124  BIRDS  OF  OHIO. 

170.  (467.)     EMPIDONAX  MINIMUS  Baird.     135. 

Least  Flycatcher. 

Synonyms:     Tyrannus  acadicus,  Tyrannula  minima. 

Chebec,  Sewick. 
Read,  Family  Visitor,  III,  1853,  359. 

While  this  is  common  as  a  migrant  throughout  the  state 
it  appears  to  be  rare  as  a  summer  resident,  especially  in  the 
south.  I  have  yet  to  find  a  pair  breeding  in  Lorain  county. 
It  is,  however,  given  as  breeding  in  Erie  county,  and  as  pos- 
sibly breeding  in  Scioto  county  by  Rev.  W.  F.  Henninger. 
It  seems  likely  that  it  is  local  in  its  summer  distribution.  In 
August  we  found  it  along  the  Ohio  river  from  Marietta  to 
Ironton. 

The  Least  Flycatcher  reaches  Lorain  county  by  the  25th 
of  April  and  departs  about  the  first  of  September. 

SUBORDER  OSCINES.     Song  Birds. 
Family  ALAUDID^.     Larks. 

The  true  larks  are  found  in  flocks  of  from  a  few  to  several 
hundred  individuals  except  during  the  breeding  season. 
Their  food  consists  of  weed  seeds  and  such  grains  as  may 
be  scattered  in  the  fields  or  by  the  roadside,  and  the  eggs 
and  larvae  of  insects.  Probably  adult  insects  are  also  eaten 
to  some  extent.  They  are  useful  birds. 

171.  (474.)     OTOCORIS  ALPESTRIS  (Linn.).    126. 

Horned  Lark. 

Synonyms:   Bremophila  alpestris,  E.  cornuta,  Alauda  alpestris. 

Shore  Lark. 
Kirtland,  Ohio  Geol.  Surv.,  1838,  164,  183. 

It  is  unfortunate  that  so  few  persons  are  able  to  distin- 
guish certainly  between  our  three  forms  of  Otocoris.  The 
evidence  seems  to  be  pretty  clear  that  there  has  been  a  shift- 
ing about  of  alpestris  and  an  invasion  of  pratlcola  since  Dr. 
Wheaton  wrote  in  1882.  He  was  familiar  with  the  winter 
bird  but  knew  nothing  of  the  summer  form,  which  he 
would  have  known  had  it  been  as  common  as  it  is  now. 


PASSERES ALAUDID^E.  125 

"Abundant  winter  resident"  is  the  term  he  applies  to  alpes- 
triSj  the  form  known  to  him.  After  an  experience  of  twelve 
years  in  Lorain  county  I  would  not  consider  it  more  than 
common.  In  1882  it  apparently  .ranged  completely  across 
the  state,  but  now  there  are  no  extreme  southern  records. 
This,  again,  may  be  due  to  unfamiliarity  with  the  birds.  At 
any  rate  it  is  more  common  north  than  south.  I  have  sel- 
dom seen  true  Horned  Larks  before  the  first  considerable 
cold  wave  which  brings  snow.  This  may  be  late  in  Novem- 
ber or  not  until  the  second  week  in  January.  Most  of  the 
Horned  Larks  have  gone  north  by  the  middle  of  March,  but 
individuals  sometimes  tarry  until  early  May. 

During  the  winter  the  Horned  Lark  is  largely  a  seed 
eater,  and  destroys  quantities  of  noxious  weeds  in  embryo. 
During  the  period  of  snow  covered  landscape  he  searches 
out  the  freshly  spread  manure,  or  goes  into  the  pastures 
where  fodder  has  been  scattered,  picking  up  what  the  cattle 
have  left  or  uncovered.  Flocks  of  several  hundred  are  not 
uncommon  at  such  times. 

172.     (474b.)     OTOCORIS  ALPESTRIS  PRATICOLA  Hensh.  — 

Prairie  Horned  Lark. 
Dwight,  Auk,  VII,  1890,  145. 

This  is  the  first  specific  reference.  In  a  general  way  Hen- 
shaw  covered  Ohio  in  his  review  in  1884,  but  made  no  specific 
reference  to  Ohio.  This  form  was  not  elaborated  until  two 
years  after  Dr.  Wheaton  had  seen  his  catalogue  out  of  the  press, 
but  since  he  makes  no  mention  of  the  breeding  of  the  Horned 
Lark  it  seems  likely  that  he  did  not  know  this  form.  It  is  very 
probable  that  it  invaded  the  state  just  after  Dr.  Wheaton  laid 
down  his  work. 

O.  a.  praticola  is  now  the  common  resident  form  nearly 
throughout  the  state.  It  is  naturally  more  numerous  in  the 
more  level  northern  and  western  parts  than  in  the  rougher 
south-eastern.  Naturally  it  is  confused  with  alpestris  by- 
many  of  the  Ohio  men,  particularly  those  who  are  familiar 
with  the  earlier  classification  which  Dr.  Wheaton  used. 

In  general  habits  this  form  agrees  with  alpestris.    During 


12C  BIRDS  OF  OHIO. 

the  summer,  particularly  the  breeding  season,  the  regular 
diet  of  weed  seeds  is  supplemented  with  insect  larvae. 

Since  these  birds  may  usually  be  rather  closely  approached 
during  the  winter  when  they  associate  together,  and  always 
head  into  the  wind,  they  may  be  readily  distinguished  by 
the  yellow  line  above  the  eye  in  the  true  Horned  Lark,  and 
by  the  white  line,  with  no  trace  of  yellow,  in  Prairie  Horned 
Lark.  Both  have  yellow  or  yellowish  throats,  Horned  Lark 
the  brighter  and  clearer.  The  form  hoyti  is  as  large  as  al- 
pestris,  but  is  lighter  than  praticola,  and  with  no  yellow  over 
the  eye.  • 

173.  (474k.)     OTOCORIS  ALPESTRIS  HOYTI  Bishop.     — . 

Hoyt  Horned  Lark. 

Synonyms:     Otocoris  alpestris  leucolema. 

Oberholser,  A  Review  of  the  Larks  of  the  Genus  Otocoris,  Pro- 
ceedings of  the  U.  S.  National  Museum,  XXIV,  No.  1271,  812. 

The  specimen  above  referred  to,  captured  at  Wooster, 
one  in  the  Oberlin  College  collection,  and  at  least  three  in 
the  collection  of  the  Ohio  State  University,  are  all  of  which 
I  have  any  record.  A  critical  examination  of  local  collec- 
tions may  reveal  others.  The  recent  elaboration  of  this 
subspecies  makes  it  impossible  to  say  what  its  status  in  our 
state  is.  From  the  small  amount  of  evidence  I  would  infer 
that  it  is  a  winter  visitor  with  the  Horned  Lark,  ranging 
into  the  state  from  the  north-west. 

Family  CORVID^:.     Crows,  Jays,  Magpies,  etc. 

The  food  habits  of  the  three  representatives  of  this  family 
which  occur  in  Ohio  are  given  under  the  species. 

174.  (477.)     CYANOCITTA  CRISTATA  (Linn.).     125 

Blue  Jay. 
Synonyms:      Cyanurus  cristatus,  Cyanura  cristata,  Corvus  cris- 

tatus,  Garrulus  cristatus. 
Jay  Bird. 
Kirtland,  Ohio  Geol.  Surv.,  1838,  162. 

Blue  Jay  is  a  familiar  and  common  resident  throughout 
the  state  except  in  the  south-eastern  portion.  He  is  usually 


PASSERES CORVID.E.  127 

more  in  evidence  during  the  winter  than  during  the  sum- 
mer, no  doubt  because  he  finds  food  more  plentiful  and  more 
easily  obtained  in  towns  and  cities.  During  the  winter  the 
jay  is  a  great  scavenger,  visiting  the  kitchen  waste  barrel 
regularly.  He  will  eat  almost  anything  that  can  be  digested, 
and  sometimes  other  things  as  well.  Corn  and  nuts  furnish 
a  good  share  of  his  winter  food,  where  they  are  plentiful. 
His  friends  keep  still  about  what  he  eats  during  the  summer. 
There  is  no  doubt  that  many  nests  despoiled  of  eggs  or  even 
young  must  be  laid  to  his  mischievous  propensities.  One 
might  be  allowed  to  judge  of  his  character  by  the  manner 
in  which  his  neighbors  receive  him.  The  appearance  of  a 
jay  in  any  neighborhood  is  the  signal  for  all  the  birds  to 
band  together  to  drive  him  away.  Prof.  F.  E.  L.  Beal's  ex- 
amination of  292  stomachs  failed  to  sustain  the  almost  uni- 
versal *testimony  of  the  robbing  proclivities  of  this  bird. 
There  was  some  evidence  of  it  but  too  little  upon  which  to 
base  a  sweeping  condemnation.  On  the  other  hand,  the  Blue 
Jay  certainly  does  destroy  large  numbers  of  injurious  in- 
sects. 

While  it  is  probably  true  that  the  Blue  Jay  is  migratory 
to  some  extent,  the  northernmost  birds  receding  south  a 
greater  or  less  distance  to  spend  the  winter,  and  the  others 
also  crowding  south  to  give  place  to  them,  it  is  not  an  ap- 
preciable movement  in  Ohio. 

175.     (486a.)     CORVUS  CORAX  PRINCIPALS  Ridgw.    123. 
Northern  Raven. 

Synonyms:     Corvus  corax,  C.  corax  var.  carnivorous,  C.  carniv- 

orus. 

Raven,  American  Raven. 
Wilson,  Am.  Orn.,  IX,  1825,  136. 

The  records  seem  to  indicate  that  in  Wilson's  time  the 
Raven  was  so  common  along  the  lake  shore,  particularly 
easterly,  as  to  entirely  supplant  the  Crow.  It  gradually  de- 
creased in  numbers,  until  none  were  known  except  in  the 
extreme  northwest.  In  1882  Dr.  Wheaton  regarded  it  as 
a  "Rare  winter  visitor."  Mr.  Thos.  Mikesell,  of  Wauseon, 


128  BIRDS  OF  OHIO. 

is  the  only  person  who  reports  its  occurrence  at  the  present 
time.  Other  residents  of  Fulton  county  corroborate  Mr. 
Mikesell's  statement.  Apparently  it  has  been  in  the  habit 
of  nesting  in  that  corner  of  the  state  and  in  the  adjoining 
parts  of  Indiana.  Doubtless  the  next  decade  will  witness 
its  complete  extinction  from  the  state. 

176.     (488.)     CORVUS  AMERICANUS  Aud.    124. 
American  Crow. 

Synonyms:   Corvus  frugivorus,  C.  corone. 

.Crow,  Common  Crow. 
Kirtland,  Ohio  Geol.  Surv.,  1838,  162. 

Our  common  Crow  is  resident  in  some  numbers  in  the 
southern  portion  of  the  state,  and  may  be  found  in  small 
numbers  in  favorable  places  even  to  the  lake  sMre.  Cold, 
snowy  winters  are  likely  to  drive  most  if  not  a  adrviduals 
south  at  least  to  the  center  of  the  state.  The  northward 
movement  of  the  Crow  host  reaches  Lorain  county  early  in 
March,  but  it  is  almost  wholly  dependent  upon  weather  con- 
ditions. Not  infrequently  small  companies  of  these  birds 
may  be  seen  moving  north  during  the  last  week  of  February. 
Considerable  numbers  remain  well  into  December  in  all  but 
exceptionally  cold  winters  which  begin  early. 

It  is  well  known  that  the  Crow  is  a  social  bird  to  an  un- 
usual degree,  except  when  nesting.  Crow  "Roosts"  are 
readily  located  by  noting  the  converging  lines  of  flight  dur- 
ing the  afternoon  in  spring  and  fall,  and  in  winter  in  the 
southern  counties. 

It  would  be  superfluous  to  discuss  the  food  habits  of  this 
interesting  bird  here.  The  reader  can  obtain  an  exhaustive 
paper  upon  the  Crow  by  writing  to  the  Secretary  of  Agri- 
culture, Washington,  D.  C.  The  evidence  which  will  be 
found  there  is  slightly  favorable  to  the  Crow.  But  it  must 
be  admitted  that  during  planting  time  he  is  a  mischievous 
bird,  and  then  may  deserve  a  warm  reception.  But  that  he 
does  eat  many  insects  which  destroy  quantities  of  grain  must 
also  be  freely  admitted. 


PASSERES ICTERID^E.  129 

•*• 

Family  ICTERID^E.     Blackbirds,  Orioles,  Meadowlarks,  etc. 

Most  members  of  this  family  are  among  the  best  known 
of  our  birds,  because  they  either  live  about  dwellings  or 
in  our  parks,  or  because  they  are  conspicuous  in  either  color 
or  voice.  Their  food  habits  are  discussed  in  detail  under 
each  species. 

177.     (494.)     DOLICHONYX  ORYZIVORUS  (Linn.).     114. 
Bobolink. 

Synonyms:     Icterus  agripennis,  Fringula  oryzivorus. 

Reedbird,   Ricebird,  White-winged  Blackbird,   Skunk  Black- 
bird, Bob  Lincoln,  Butterbird,  Ortolan,  Meadow-wink,  May- 
bird. 
Nuttall,  Manual,  I,  1832,  185. 

In  his  full  wedding  dress  the  Bobolink  is  a  well-known 
bird,  but  in  his  traveling  suit  of  drab  and  yellow  he  is  to 
most  persons  a  common  sparrow.  I  was  somewhat  sur- 
prised to  learn  that  while  the  Bobolink  is  one  of  our  most 
familiar  meadow  inhabitants  in  northern  Ohio,  it  is  not 
found  at  all  during  the  summer  in  the  southern  part,  only 
passing  through  as  a  migrant  twice  a  year.  I  found  it 
breding  sparingly  at  both  the  Licking  and  Lewiston  res- 
ervoirs. It  is  reported  as  common  all  summer  as  far  south 
as  Delaware,  but  apparently  at  the  Licking  reservoir  it  is 
near  its  southern  breeding  limit. 

Being  a  meadow  haunting  bird,  its  appearance  in  the 
state  must  have  followed  the  disappearance  of  the  forests, 
except  in  the  more  open  north-western  counties.  Dr.  Whea- 
ton  places  its  first  appearance  in  Geauga  county  in  1857. 

Bobolink  reaches  Lorain  county  during  the  last  week  of 
April.  The  males  change -their  garb  during  July  and  early 
August,  after  which  the  species  may  be  found  in  flocks  of 
varying  size,  making  ready  for  their  journey  to  the  Florida 
rice  fields.  They  are  gone  by  the  middle  of  September.  In 
the  southern  part  of  the  state  they  remain  but  about  a  week 
after  their  first  appearance  in  spring,  and  return  again  dur- 
ing the  second  week  in  September,  to  remain  but  a  few 
days. 


130  BIRDS  OF  OHIO. 

With  us  the  Bobolink  is  both  interesting  and  useful.  His 
irresistible  burst  of  song  is  one  of  our  treasures,  and  his 
destruction  of  insects  and  weed  seeds  makes  him  an  aid  to 
the  farmer.  But  in  the  south  he  has  found  the  rice  fields  a 
never  failing  source  of  food,  and  often  pays  the  penalty  of 
thieving  with  his  life.  The  year  through  he  is  more  useful 
than  harmful. 

178.     (495.)     MOLOTHRUS  ATER    (Bodd.).  115. 

Cowbird. 

Synonyms:  Icterus  pecoris,  Molothrus  pecoris,  Fringi.Ha  pecoris. 
Cowbird,  Cow  Blackbird,  Cow  Troupial,  Cow  Bunting,  Com- 
mon Cowbird,  Chuckold,  Blackbird,  Shinyeye,  Lazy  Bird, 

Clodhopper,  Buffalo  Bird. 
Kirtland,  Ohio  Geol.  Surv.,  1838,  162,  180. 

It  is  hard  to  find  anything  good  to  say  about  this  lazy 
tramp.  He  is,  unfortunately,  common  all  summer  over  the 
entire  state,  so  that  nowhere  can  the  other  birds  find  refuge 
from  his  depredations.  We  may  have  small  pity  for  the  stu- 
pidity of  the  other  birds  in  permitting  the  alien  egg  to  remain 
in  their  nests  to  work  the  destruction  of  their  own  young,  but 
how  different  are  we  when  we  find  a  poor  human  waif  which 
somebody  may  be  too  lazy  to  care  for?  Some  birds,  par- 
ticularly the  larger  ones,  do  throw  the  egg  out  of  their  nest, 
but  few  of  the  smaller  ones  seem  to  make  any  effort  to  free 
themselves  of  the  incubus.  The  presence  of  a  young  Cow- 
bird  in  the  nest  of  a  species  which  is  smaller  than  the  Cow- 
bird,  frequently  results  in  the  death  of  the  rightful  inhab- 
itants of  the  nest,  and  so  great  damage  is  done  in  the  de- 
struction of  really  beneficial  birds. 

There  are  perhaps  two  good  things  about  the  Cowbird. 
It  eats  the  insects  and  grubs  which  are  more  or  less  injuri- 
ous to  cattle,  and  which  are  found  in  the  pastures  among 
the  herds,  and  its  flesh  is  good  to  eat !  Cowbird  and  Eng- 
lish Sparrow  should  find  their  way  to  the  bill  of  fare  of  our 
hotels.  They  are  dainty  tidbits.  Call  them  Ricebirds  if 
you  prefer. 

The  Cowbird  reaches  Ohio  during  the  middle  of  March 
and  returns  south  late  in  October.  It  frequently  associates 


PASSERES ICTERID^:.  131 

with  the  Bronzed  Crackles  in  their  roosts  during  the  sum- 
mer and  autumn,  and  may  sometimes  be  found  in  the  north- 
ward moving  flocks  made  up  of  the  several  species  of 
"Blackbirds."  During  the  summer  it  is  found  in  companies 
of  five  to  eight  individuals,  both  males  and  females,  about 
the  woodlands  and  pastures. 

179.     (498.)     AGELAIUS  PHCENICEUS  (Linn.).     117. 
Red-winged  Blackbird. 

Synonyms:       Agelseus     phcenicus,     Icterus     phoenicus,     Oriolus 

phoeniceus. 
Swamp   Blackbird,   Red-winged   Starling,   Red-and-buff-shoul- 

dered  Marsh  Blackbird,  Blackbird. 
Kirtland,  Ohio  Geol.  Surv.,  1838,  162. 

This  is  probably  the  most  familiar  bird  of  the  swamps 
and  marshes  in  all  parts  of  the  state,  where  it  nests  in  large 
numbers.  In  some  regions  where  its  natural  nesting  places 
of  rushes  and  cat-tails  have  disappeared  on  account  of 
drainage,  it  has  gone  into  the  clover  fields  and  meadows. 
In  others  it  has  taken  to  the  brush. 

The  testimony  of  the  examination  of  large  numbers  of 
stomachs  of  this  bird  shows  that  it  may  prove  harmful  in 
some  places  and  under  some  circumstances,  but  that  its 
harmfulness  is  about  one-eighth,  as  represented  by  the 
grains  which  it  eats.  The  harmful  insects  and  weed  seeds 
which  it  destroys  should  far  outweigh  any  damage  done  to 
agriculture.  No  doubt  a  large  part  of  the  grain  eaten  is 
waste  grain. 

The  Red-wing  is  one  of  spring's  harbingers.  He  reaches 
Ohio  not  far  from  the  first  of  March,  but  is  inclined  to  be 
a  few  days  later  than  the  Bluebird  and  Robin.  When  the 
season  is  late  he  may  come  in  a  large  flock  of  "Blackbirds," 
but  earlier  he  seems  to  prefer  to  travel  with  a  small  company 
of  his  own  kind  only.  Like  the  other  birds  of  his  color  he 
loves  company,  and  after  the  young  are  able  to  fly,  a  whole 
swamp  full  select  a  place  to  spend  the  nights,  which  may 
be  with  the  other  species,  or  possibly  a  roosting-place  ex- 
clusively of  his  own  species.  The  most  of  our  Red-wings 


132  BIRDS  OF  OHIO. 

have  gone  south  by  the  last  of  October,  but  a  few  remain 
well  toward  December,  especially  in  the  southern  counties. 

180.  (498a.)     AGELAIUS  PHCENICEUS  FORTIS  Ridgway. 

Thick-billed  Red-wing. 

There  is  a  specimen  in  the  Oberlin  College  collection 
which  seems  clearly  to  belong  to  this  new  race.  It  was 
taken  October  25,  1890,  by  C.  A.  Kofoid,  at  Oberlin.  Ap- 
parently this  form  should  be  found  among  the  early  spring 
and  late  autumn  Red-wings.  The  form  has  been  so  recently 
elaborated  that  it  has  not  been  possible  to  examine  specimens 
in  the  different  collections. 

181.  (501.)     STURNELLA  MAGNA  (Linn.).     118. 

Meadowlark. 

Synonyms:     Sturnus  ludovicianus,  Sturnella  ludoviciana,  Alauda 

magna. 

Fieldlark,  Old  Fieldlark,  Meadow  Starling,  Marsh  Quail. 
Kirtland,  Ohio  Geol.  Surv.,  1838,  162. 

Like  the  Crow,  Meadowlark  may  remain  in  small  num- 
bers in  the  northern  part  of  the  state  all  winter.  Long  con- 
tinued cold,  and  particularly  snow,  will  usually  drive  all 
south,  or  into  some  region  not  covered  by  snow.  In  the 
southern  counties,  decreasingly  northward,  it  is  a  regular 
winter  resident.  No  doubt  the  present  condition  of  the 
Meadowlark  is  due  to  the  clearing  away  of  the  forests,  but 
unlike  the  Bobolink,  it  does  not  require  so  extensive  fields 
and  therefore  probably  found  natural  clearings  in  the  for- 
ests possible  breeding  grounds  before  the  appearance  of  the 
white  settlers.  If  so  his  numbers  were  far  less  than  now. 

There  should  be  no  note  of  condemnation  for  this  bird. 
His  services  in  the  meadow  and  fields  cannot  be  estimated 
in  values.  Even  during  the  winter  insects  comprise  a  large 
proportion  of  his  food,  while  practically  no  grain  that  could 
be  saved  is  eaten  at  any  time.  To  say  that  73  per  cent,  of 
the  whole  amount  eaten  is  insects,  a  large  part  of  which  eat 
grains,  is  telling  but  half  of  the  story.  Being  a  ground 
haunter,  the  insects  destroyed  are  such  as  the  other  birds 


PASSERES ICTERID^E.  133 

-   *<    •  v     .-      • 

do  not  touch.    It  is  therefore  one  of  the  birds  which  should 
be  rigidly  protected. 

182.  (506.)     ICTERUS  SPURIUS  (Linn.).'   119. 

Orchard  Oriole. 

Synonyms:     Oriolus  spurius. 
Kirtland,  Ohio  Geol.  Surv.,  1838,  162. 

The  Orchard  Oriole  is  a  fairly  common  summer  resident 
throughout  the  state.  In  Lorain  county  it  has  increased, 
during  the  last  ten  years,  from  scarcely  more  than  casual 
to  fairly  common.  Writing  in  1882,  Dr.  Wheaton  states 
that  in  the  vicinity  of  Columbus,  at  least,  it  resorts  to  "the 
low  banks  of  sparsely  wooded  streams  and  willow  thickets," 
preferring  such  places  to  orchards.  In  Lorain  county  it  is 
more  often  found  in  orchards  than  elsewhere. 

The  birds  are  not  numerous  enough  to  figure  economical- 
ly, but  if  they  were  their  food  would  be  found  to  consist 
largely  of  insects  injurious  to  fruit.  The  birds  probably -eat 
some  ripe  fruit  in  its  season,  but  so  little  of  it  as  to  be  of 
no  consequence.  Ripe  mulberries  are  eaten  with  a  good  deal 
of  relish. 

The  Orchard  Oriole  reaches  our  southern  border  during 
the  last  week  in  April  and  spends  nearly  a  week  in  travers- 
ing the  state,  seldom  appearing  at  Oberlin  before  the  first 
of  May.  Its  departure  southward  is  a  little  uncertain,  but 
seems  to  be  about  the  middle  of  August. 

183.  (507.)     ICTERUS  GALBULA  (Linn.).    120. 

Baltimore  Oriole. 

Synonyms:     Icterus  baltimore,  Oriolus  baltimore,  Coracias  gal- 

bula. 
Golden    Robin,    Hangnest,    Firebird,    Peabird,    Hanging-bird. 

Kirtland,  Ohio  Geol.  Surv.,  1838,  162. 

This  is  the  common  Oriole  throughout  the  state,  and  is 
apparently  on  the  increase  in  most  sections.  It  is  one  of  the 
first  birds  which  the  would-be  bird  student  sees  and  hears, 
because  it  comes  into  the  door-yard  to  nest,  and  sings  fear- 


134  BIRDS  OF  OHIO. 

lessly.  Its  pendant  nest  is  a  familiar  sight  on  almost  every 
street,  after  the  leaves  have  fallen. 

Its  food  consists  largely  of  injurious  insects,  particularly 
caterpillars  and  the  small  plant  and  bark  lice  which  are  over- 
looked by  most  other  birds.  It  is  true  that  some  ripe  fruit 
is  eaten,  but  so  little,  usually,  that  little  harm  is  done.  A 
mulberry  tree  will  prove  a  safeguard  from  anything  which 
the  Baltimore  Oriole  might  be  inclined  to  do  with  other 
fruit,  for  he  does  love  ripe  mulberries. 

This  Oriole  reaches  our  southern  border  early  in  the  last 
week  of  April,  and  loses  little  time  in  crossing  the  state, 
passing  south  about  September  5,  in  the  northern,  and  the 
10th  in  the  southern  counties.  A  few  individuals  may  lin- 
ger well  toward  October. 

184.     (509.)     SCOLECOPHAGUS  CAROLINUS  (Mull.).    121. 
Rusty  Blackbird. 

Synonyms:      Scolecophagus    ferrugineus,    Quicalus    ferrugineus, 

Oriolus  ferrugineus,  Turdus  carolinus. 
Rusty  Grackle,  Thrush  Blackbird. 
Kirtland,  Ohio  Geol.  Surv.,  1838,  162. 

The  little  known  "Rusty  Blackbird  is  a  regular  migrant 
across  the  state  both  spring  and  autumn,  usually  fairly  com- 
mon but  seldom,  if  ever,  very  prominent.  In  the  southern 
counties  it  is  a  tolerably  common  winter  resident.  As  a 
migrant  it  could  do  no  harm  if  it  would,  except  possibly  to 
the  ripe  corn  crop.  There  is  no  evidence  that  it  is  ever 
harmful. 

It  is  among  the  earlier  spring  birds,  arriving  during  the 
first  week  in  March  and  remaining  until  the  end  of  the  first 
week  in  May,  returning  again  about  the  middle  of  Septem- 
ber and  remaining  well  into  November,  in  the  north.  There 
is  one  record  for  February  1,3,  1897,  when  a  female  was  shot 
in  the  marshes  on  Lake  Erie.  It  must  have  wintered  there. 


PASSERES ICTERIDJE.  135 

185.  (511b.)  QUISCALUS  QUISCULA  .ENEUS  (Ridgw.).  122. 
Bronzed  Crackle. 

Synonyms:     Quiscalus  purpureus  var.  aeneus,  Q.  versicolor,  Q. 

purpureus,  Q.  geneus. 

Crow     Blackbird,     Common     Blackbird,     Purple     Grackle, 
Bronzed   Crow   Blackbird,   Brass   Grackle,   Western   Crow 
Blackbird. 
Kirtland,  Ohio  Geol.  Surv.,  1838,  162,  180. 

This  is  the  common  "Blackbird"  of  lawns  and  shade  trees. 
Its  steel-blue  head  and  neck  and  bronze-colored  body  would 
at  once  distinguish  it  from  the  other  blackbirds.  Dr.  Whea- 
ton  states  that  it  is  "Found  everywhere,  but  is  especially 
numerous  in  sycamore  groves  along  streams,  and  in  oak 
woodland."  I  am  not  aware  that  it  is  now  found  breeding 
away  from  the  immediate  vicinity  of  human  habitations. 
It  is  particularly  numerous  at  farm  dwellings  where  Lom- 
bardy  poplars  are  numerous,  and  in  towns  and  parks 
among  the  evergreen  trees.  It  also  roosts  in  the  shade  trees 
in  parks  and  along  the  streets  where  shade  trees  form  a  suf- 
ficiently thick  growth. 

There  can  be  no  question  that  this  species  does  more  good 
than  harm  the  whole  year  through,  but  that  is  not  saying 
that  the  birds  should  always-  be  left  to  do  as  they  choose.  >  It 
is  too  true  that  during  the  fall,  when  the  small  grains  are 
standing  in  shock  and  the  corn  is  in  the  milk,  the  grackles 
do  great  damage,  sometimes  descending  in  immense  flocks 
upon  a  field,  filling  themselves  with  the  grain.  They  also 
eat  ripe  fruit  to  some  extent.  During  the  spring  they  are 
decidedly  beneficial  in  ridding  the  newly  turned  soil  of 
grubs  and  other  insect  larvae.  The  farmer  must  be  his  own 
judge  and  execute  his  sentence — if  he  can. 

The  Bronzed  Grackles  reach  northern  Ohio  during  the 
first  week  in  March,  not  seldom  with  the  other  first  spring 
birds.  At  Oberlin  the  arrivals  usually  fly  first  to  the  trees 
in  which  the  roost  was  selected  the  previous  summer,  and 
then  station  themselves  about  town  to  suit  their  own  fancy. 
The  bulk  of  individuals  leave  for  the,  south  about  November 
10,  but  stragglers  remain  into  December,  or  rarely  all  win- 
ter long. 


136  BIRDS   OF  OHIO. 

Family   FRINGILLIMS.      Finches,    Sparrows,    Buntings, 

etc. 

Of  this  group  there  have  been  found  in  Ohio  33  species 
native  to  North  America,  and  one  imported  species.  Only 
one  other  family  of  birds  exceeds  this  in  number  of  species, 
and  probably  none  exceeds  it  in  the  numbers  of  individual 
birds,  for  the  sparrows  are  always  numerous.  These  birds 
are  also  among  the  most  puzzling  to  the  average  student. 
Their  food  habits  are  given  under  each  species. 

186.  (514.)     HESPERIPHONA  VESPERTINA    (Coop.).     84. 

Evening  Grosbeak. 

Synonyms:      Coccothraustes  vespertina,   Fringilla  vespertina. 
Kirtland,  Ohio  Farmer  (newspaper),  IX,  1860,  91. 

Dr.  Wheaton  knew  of  but  one  record  for  this  northern 
species,  in  the  reference  given  above.  A  female  was  taken 
by  Mr.  Charles  Pease,  Jr.,  and  several  others  were  seen  by 
Dr.  Kirtland,  a  few  days  previous  to  March  24,  1860.  There 
was  a  small  flight  southward  during  the  latter  part  of  Jan- 
uary, 1890,  when  a  specimen  was  secured  by  Dr.  Carl  Tut- 
tle,  of  Berlin  Heights,  Erie  county,  January  30,  1890 ;  a 
number  were  seen  by  Mr.  A.  Hall,  of  Cleveland,  and  by 
Rev.  J.  M.  Keck,  in  Lake  county.  At  best  it  is  a  rare  winter 
visitor  to  northern  Ohio. 

187.  (515.)       PlNICOLA  ENUCLEATOR   LEUCURA    (Milll.).    85 

Canadian  Pine  Grosbeak. 

Synonyms:      Pinicola  enucleator,   Corythus   enucleator,   Pinicola 

canadensis,  Loxia  enucleator. 
Kirtland,  Am.  Journal  Sci.  and  Arts,  XIII,  1852,  218. 

The  records  'of  the  occurrence  of  this  northern  bird  are 
few,  and,  except  Audubon's  inferential  reference  to  speci- 
mens captured  at  the  mouth  of  the  Big  Guyandotte,  in  West 
Virginia,  are  confined  to  northern  Ohio.  Dr.  Wheaton 
gives  three  records,  two  besides  Audubon's.  Dr.  Kirtland 
recorded  it  from  near  Cleveland,  and  the  statement  by  Mr. 
Read  that  it  is  "rare,  though  occasionally  seen  during  most 
of  the  year,"  seems  to  me  a  decidedly  questionable 


PASSERES FRINGILLID^E.  137 

record.  Possibly  the  Purple  Finch  was  meant.  The  only 
other  records  that  I  have  are  one  by  Mr.  A.  Hall,  of  Cleve- 
land, who  captured  a  specimen,  date  not  known,  and  one 
by  myself  in  Lorain  county,  January  1,  1902.  It  seems  like- 
ly that  more  activity  in  field  work  during  the  winter  would 
result  in  other  records  of  this  interesting  species. 

188.  (517.)     CARPODACUS  PURPUREUS   (Gmel.).     86. 

Purple  Finch. 

Synonyms:     Fringilla  purpurea 

Purple  Grosbeak,  Crimson  Finch,  Linnet. 
Kirtland,  Ohio  Geol.  Surv.,  1838,  164,  184. 

The  Purple  Finch  is  a  regular,  but  hardly  common,  mi- 
grant, and  less  numerous  winter  resident  in  all  parts  of  the 
state.  With  us  it  .occurs  in  small  flocks,  frequently  asso- 
ciated with  Goldfinch.  In  Lorain  county  it  is  too  irregular 
to  make  any  definite  statements  about  its  appearance  in 
spring  or  autumn  worth  anything.  Singing  individuals 
have  been  recorded  after  the  middle  of  May,  and  as  early 
as  the  first  of  September. 

While  in  the  state  the  food  of  this  species  is  not  such  as 
to  affect  agricultural  interests,  if  it  ever  does.  I  have  seen 
it  breaking  off  and  scattering  the  buds  from  trees,  working 
at  the  pine  cones,  and  eating  weed  seeds  from  near  the 
ground. 

189.  (521.)     LOXIA  CURVIROSTRA  MINOR    (Brehm.).     87. 

American  Crossbill. 

Synonyms:      Loxia   curvirostra   var.    americana,   L.    curvirostra, 

Curvirostra  americana,   Curvirostra  minor. 
Common  Crossbill,  American  Red  Crossbill,  Red  Crossbill. 
Kirtland,  Ohio  Geol.  Surv.,  1838,  164,  184. 

This  Crossbill  is  an  irregular  winter  visitor,  and  possibly 
breeds  occasionally.  Its  appearance  and  disappearance  are 
unaccountable.  It  has  appeared  at  Oberlin  during  early 
.autumn  and  been  -common  both  in  the  village  and  surround- 
ing region  until  the  following  June,  and  then  disappeared 
completely  for  months  or  years.  Considerable  flights  some- 


138  BIRDS  OF  OHIO. 

times  occur  during  the  winter  or  early  spring  only,  followed 
abruptly  by  total  disappearance.  It  may  be  found  anywhere 
in  the  state  where  coniferous  trees  furnish  food.  Mr.  E.  A. 
Doolittle  informs  me  that  flocks  are  present  now  (late 
June)  at  Painesville.  I  have,  found*  a  flock 'at  Oberlin  dur- 
ing the  last  week  in  June,  1903. 

I  have  never  seen  the  birds  feeding  on  anything  but  pine 
nuts  which  are  taken  from  the  cones  either  on  the  trees  or 
as  they  lie  on  the  ground. 

190.  (522.)     LOXIA  LEUCOPTERA  Gmel.     88. 

White-winged  Crossbill. 
Synonyms:     Curvirostra  leucoptera. 
Wheaton,  Ohio  Agri.  Report,  1860,  346,  366. 

This  Crossbill  is  rare  in  Ohio.  There  appear  to  have  been 
three  flights,  of  which  we  have  records,  which  may  have 
reached  Ohio.  One  was  in  1868-9,  when  Dr.  Langdon 
found  considerable  numbers  of  them  associated  with  the 
Red  Crossbills  in  the  proportion  of  two  of  the  White- 
winged  to  one  of  the  other,  in  the  vicinity  of  Cincinnati. 
Another  flight  mentioned  by  Mr.  A.  W.  Butler  (Birds  of 
Indiana,  921)  occurred  in  1883-4,  when  numerous  Indiana 
records  were  made,  but  apparently  no  Ohio  records  have 
come  to  light  for  this  flight.  The  third  and  last  occurred 
during  the  winter  of  1901-2,  when  a  flock  remained  near 
Elyria,  Lorain  county,  for  at  least  two  weeks  early  in  Jan- 
uary, 1902.  Other  records  are  scattering  and  probably  do 
rot  have  to  do  with  large  flights.  At  best  the  species  is  ir- 
regular, requiring  unusual  weather  and  food  conditions  to 
be  forced  south. 

191.  (528.)     ACANTHIS  LINARIA   (Linn.).     89. 

Redpoll. 

Synonyms:     JEgiothus  linaria,  Fringilla  linaria. 

Red-poll  Linnet,  Common  Red-poll,  Lesser  Red-poll. 
Kirtland,  Ohio  Geol.  Surv.,  1838,  164,  183. 

The  Redpoll  is  probably  a  little  less  rare  than  the  last 


PASSERES FRINGILLID^E.  139 

species,  but  it  has  ceased  to  be  the  "Tolerably  regular  win- 
ter resident  in  northern  Ohio"  that  Dr.  Wheaton  knew. 
During  my  ten  years'  residence  in  Oberlin  I  have  never 
seen  it,  in  spite  of  many  winter  days  spent  afield  in  search 
for  it.  The  "rare  occasions  - when-  it  does  cross  Lake  Erie  are 
notable  ones,  for  then  the  birds  are  among  the  most  numer- 
ous of  winter  birds.  Stragglers  may  be  found  occasionally. 
One  was  taken  by  Mr.  Charles  Dury  in  January,  1869,  at 
Cincinnati. 

The  Redpoll  feeds  much  after  the  fashion  of  the  Gold- 
finch, the  flock  taking  possession  of  a  weed  and  apparently 
cleaning  out  the  seeds  before  leaving,  twittering  all  the 
while.  They  are  not  wary  and  allow  a  close  approach. 

192.     (529.)     ASTRAGALINUS  TRISTIS   (Linn.).     90. 
American  Goldfinch. 

Synonyms:      Chrysomitris     tristis,     Fringilla    tristis,     Carduelis 

tristis,  Spinus  tristis. 
Yellow-bird,     Thistle-bird,     Lettuce-bird,     Salad-bird,     Wild 

Canary. 
Audubon,  Orn.  Biog.,  1831,  172. 

Goldfinch  is  one  of  our  commoner  birds  the  year  through, 
but  during  the  colder  part  of  the  year — from  October  to 
April — he  is  known  as  a  common  sparrow,  by  the  majority 
of  persons,  because  his  bright  yellow  and  deep  black  dress 
has  given  place  to  drab  only  tinted  with  yellow.  He  has 
lost  his  cheerful,  rollicking  song,  also,  substituting  a  con- 
versational twitter  while  he  feeds  or  flies.  During  the  more 
inclement  weather  flocks  of  Goldfinches  take  refuge  in  the 
woods,  where  they  feed  upon  such  weed  and  grass  seeds  as 
may  be  found  there  in  the  more  open  places.  At  other 
times  they  range  the  fields  for  food.  Goldfinches  and  Tree 
Sparrows  are  frequently  found  in  flocks  together,  both  in 
woods  and  open  fields. 

The  winter  food  of  Goldfinch  consists  largely  of  weed 
and  grass  seeds  taken  from  standing  weeds  and  grass.  In 
summer  and  autumn  thistle  seeds  are  much  in  favor,  as 
they  are  in  winter  if  there  are  any  left.  Insects  are 


140  BIRDS   OF   OHIO. 

eaten  and  fed  to  the  young  during  July  and  August,  with 
some  seeds  after  the  young  are  able  to  digest  such  hard  food. 
The  great  usefulness  in  destroying  quantities  of  weed 
seeds  cannot  be  questioned.  If  he  ever  does  damage  I  have 
not  heard  of  it. 

193.  (533.)     SPINUS  PIPITS  (Wils.).    91. 

Pine  Siskin. 

Synonyms:     Chrysomitris  pinus,  Fringilla  pinea,  Linaria  pinus. 

Pine  Linnet,  Pine  Finch   American  Siskin. 
Storer,  Proc.  Bost.  Soc.  Nat.  Hist,  II,  1845,  52. 

The  Pine  Siskin  has  certainly  decreased  in  numbers  since 
Dr.  Wheaton  knew  it  in  1882,  when  he  regarded  it  as  abun- 
dant. It  is  reported  as  rare  from  the  southern,  and  only 
locally  common  from  the  central  portion  of  the  state.  In 
the  northern  counties,  particularly  those  touching  Lake  Erie, 
it  may  frequently  become  common  during  the  autumn  and 
spring,  less  so  during  winter.  There  is  no  authentic  record 
of  its  breeding  in  the  state,  unless  Dr.  Kirtland's  circum- 
stantial evidence  of  mating  and  presence  in  June  and  July, 
1850.  be  so  considered.  He  states  that  both  old  and  young 
appeared  for  three  successive  years  early  in  July.  No  nests 
were  found. 

I  have  never  found  the  Pine  Siskin  before  the  first  week 
in  September  nor  later  than  the  first  week  in  May  in  Lorain 
county.  It  is  not  always  present  all  winter,  but  may  be. 
I  have  found  it  usually  associated  with  Goldfinch  feeding 
with  them  and  like  them,  but  occasionally  in  small  flocks 
by  themselves  feeding  in  the  pine  and  cedar  trees  and  hem- 
locks. 

194.  (534.)     PASSERINA  NIVALIS   (Linn.).     92. 

Snowflake. 

Synonyms:     Plectrophanes  nivalis,  Emberiza  nivalis,  Plectrophe- 

nax  nivalis. 

Snow  Bunting,  Snowbird,  White  Snowbird. 
Audubon,  Orn.  Biog.,  II,  1834,  515. 

Snowflake  seldom  appears  in  northern  Ohio  before  the 


PASSERES FRINGILLHXE.  141 

new  year  opens.  It  could  hardly  be  called  common,  in  the 
usual  acceptance  of  that  term,  at  any  time,  because  the  birds 
band  themselves  together  in  greater  or  lesser  flocks  and  are 
not  found  in  any  other  fashion.  The  flocks  range  over  con- 
siderable territory,  appearing  and  reappearing  at  any  one 
place  but  few  times  during  the  winter.  The  flocks  may 
range  from  a  few  to  several  hundred  individuals.  Rarely 
single  birds  may  be  found  with  the  flocks  of  Horned  Larks 
or  Lapland  Longspurs.  The  species  is  less  and  less  numer- 
ous as  one  proceeds  southward  from  the  lake  shore,  becomL 
ing  only  occasional  in  southern  Ohio,  in  exceptional 
weather. 

Feeding  wholly  on  the  ground,  Snowflake  picks  up  such 
seeds  as  may  have  been  dropped  or  missed  by  the  other  spar- 
rows. When  the  ground  is  completely  covered  with  snow 
they  are  driven  to  feed  upon  the  standing  weed  tops  which 
project  above  the  snow.  A  favorite  feeding-place  is  a  rail- 
road track,  where  grains  of  wheat  and  oats  sift  through 
the  cars  and  afford  easy  picking. 

The  Snowflakes  are  strictly  winter  birds,  seldom  appear- 
ing before  the  country  is  well  snow-bound,  or  they  drive 
down  just  in  front  of  a  blizzard  to  give  fair  warning.  They 
are  gone  before  April,  usually  not  long  after  the  first  of 
March. 

195.     (536.)     CALCARIUS  LAPPONICUS  (Linn.).     93. 
Lapland  Longspur. 

Synonyms:      Plectrophanes    lapponicus,    Centrophanes    lapponi- 

cus,   Fringilla  lapponica. 
Wheaton,  Ohio  Agri.  Report,  1860,  366. 

Dr.  Wheaton's  statements  regarding  this  winter  species 
still  hold  good  for  practically  all  of  the  state,  except  that  I 
would  not  term  it  common  at  any  time.  "The  first  to  ap- 
pear are  single  birds,  in  company  with  Shore  Larks.  Aft- 
erward they  may  be  seen  in  compact  flocks  of  from  ten  to 
thirty,  frequenting  old  brick-yards,  and  fields  where  cattle 
are  fed,  in  company  with  Shore  Larks,  with  which  they  as- 
sociate on  the  ground,  but  fly  by  themselves  in  close  iflocks. 


142  BIRDS   OF  OHIO. 

Frequently  when  first  flushed  they  utter  a  rapid  rattling 
note."  To  this  we  can  fully  agree. 

The  first  severe  winter  weather  marks  their  appearance, 
which  is  about  the  first  of  December,  in  the  vicinity  of  Ober- 
lin.  I  have  seen  flocks  as  late  as  April  23. 

The  food  is  chiefly  weed  and  grass  seed  and  grain,  with 
a  little  insect  food  intermingled,  even  in  winter.  The  birds 
are  strictly  beneficial. 

196.     (540.)     POOZCETES  GRAMINEUS   (Gmel.).     95. 
Vesper  Sparrow. 

Synonyms:     Pcecastes  gramineus,  Fringilla  graminea. 

Bay-winged    Bunting,    Grass    Finch,    Gray-bird,    Vesper-bird, 

Ground-bird. 
Kirtland,  Ohio  Geol.  Surv.,  1838,  164. 

This  is  our  common  "Ground  Sparrow"  so  called.  It 
does  not  disdain  a  perch  on  a  fence,  nor  even  a  tree,  but 
is  more  often  found  skulking  or  running  on  the  ground  in 
the  grass.  The  first  part  of  its  song  is  a  weak  imitation  of 
Meadowlark's  usual  song.  The  bird  may  be  readily  recog- 
nized by  its  two  white  outer  tail  feathers. 

The  food  of  the  Vesper  Sparrow  varies  with  the  season. 
While  it  remains  in  the  state  it  eats  more  insects  than  vege- 
table matter,  but  during  the  winter  it  eats  seeds  and  grain 
almost  exclusively.  During  the  warmer  part  of  the  summer 
its  diet  is  90  per  cent,  insect.  A  large  part  of  the  grain  eaten 
is  undoubtedly  gleaned  from  the  stubble,  and  would  be 
wasted  if  the  sparrow  did  not  find  it,  or  spring  up  in  next 
year's  cornfield  only  to  make  trouble.  The  good  done  in 
the  destruction  of  injurious  insects  is  greater  than  that  of  any 
other  sparrow.  Add  to  this  the  weed  seeds  destroyed  dur- 
ing the  autumn  and  you  have  a  strong  case  for  this  sparrow. 

Vesper  Sparrow  reaches  Oberlin  during  the  last  week  in 
March,  and  is  common  on  the  day  of  arrival,  singing  lus- 
tily. In  a  few  days  the  numbers  have  greatly  increased  un- 
til almost  every  other  bird  seen  is  of  this  species.  They  lit- 
erally swarm  over  the  fields  and  pastures.  As  the  migra- 
tions progress  the  numbers  are  reduced  somewhat,  but  all 


PASSERES — FRINGILLID^E.  143 

summer  long  it  is  an  abundant  species.  The  bulk  of  indi- 
viduals has  gone  south  by  the  first  of  October,  but  scatter- 
ing individuals  may  remain  well  into  November. 

197.     (542a.)     PASSERCULUS     SANDWICHENSIS     SAVANNA 
(Wils.).     94. 

Savanna  Sparrow. 

Synonyms:      Passerculus  savanna,  Ammodramus  sandwichensis 

savanna,  Fringilla  savanna. 
Common  Savanna  Sparrow. 
Wheaton,  Ohio  Agri.  Report,  1860,  366. 

Judging  from  the  reports  that  have  come  to  me,  this  is 
not  a  common  species,  certainly  not  ''Very  common,"  as 
Dr.  Wheaton  found  it.  The  apparent  rarity  may  well  be 
due  to  unfamiliarity.  I  have  not  found  it  even  common  in 
Lorain  county;  a  half-dozen  records  for  the  season  is  unu- 
sually good  success.  I  have  utterly  failed  to  find  this  bird 
in  summer.  Rev.  Mr.  Henninger  reports  it  as  common 
during  the  migrations,  but  a  rare  breeder  in  southern  Ohio 
(Scioto  and  Pike  counties).  In  the  nature  of  the  case,  it 
must  be  of  local  distribution.  It  is  a  great  skulker  in  the 
grass  and  may  easily  escape  notice. 

This,  with  other  sparrows  of  the  genus,  prefers  insects  to 
seeds  and  grain,  while  .they  are  with  us.  This  sparrow  in 
particular  is  the  greatest  of  all  beetle-eaters.  Weevils  and 
other  destructive  species  form  a  large  part  of  its  diet  during 
June,  July,  and  August.  The  seeds  eaten  are  weed  seeds 
that  we  are  anxious  to  get  rid  of,  and  the  grain  is  almost 
wholly  waste,  since  these  birds  do  not  go  in  flocks,  but  skulk 
about  rather  than  expose  themselves  to  view. 

The  Savanna  Sparrow  appears  in  southern  Ohio  during 
the  first  week  in  April,  and  has  reached  our  northern  coun- 
ties a  week  later  (March  21,  1903).  It  leaves  us  about  the 
last  week  in  October. 


'144  BIRDS  OF  OHIO. 

198.     (546.)      COTURNICULUS    SAVANNARUM     PASSERINUS 

(Wils.).    96. 

Grasshopper  Sparrow. 

Synonyms:     Coturniculus  passerinus,  Ammodramus  savannarum 

passerinus,   Fringilla   passerina. 

Yellow-winged  Sparrow,  Quail  Sparrow,  Cricket  Sparrow. 
Kirtland,  Ohio  Geol.  Surv.,  1838,  164. 

This  little  sparrow  is  local  in  its  distribution,  but  may 
be  fairly  common  in  suitable  regions,  over  the  entire  state. 
Its  diminutive  size  and  weak  voice  serve  to  hide  it  from  all 
but  the  unusually  interested.  It  seldom  essays  a  higher 
perch  than  the  top  of  a  fence-post,  and  is  usually  content 
with  a  weed  stalk  or  bunch  of  grass.  It  nests  on  the  ground 
in  meadows  or  neglected  fields. 

The  food  consists  of  insects  and  weed  seeds  and  grain, 
but  almost  half  of  the  whole  food  consists  of  injurious  in- 
•  sects,  and  the  grain  is  waste.  The  seeds  are  wholly  of  injur- 
ious weeds  and  grasses.  As  a  destroyer  of  injurious  insects 
this  sparrow  leads  all  the  sparrows  and  equals  some  of  the 
larger  birds,  like  the  Robin,  which  are  supposed  to  feed 
largely  upon  insects  and  worms. 

It  appears  in  Ohio  during  the  last  week  in  April  and  re- 
mains until  the  first  of  October.  During  this  time  it  must 
be  looked  for  on  the  uplands,  not  in  low  places. 

'199.     (547.)     AMMODRAMUS  HENSLOWII    (Aud.).     97. 
Henslow  Sparrow. 

Synonyms:     Coturniculus  henslovii,  C.  henslowi,  Emberiza  hen- 

slowii. 

Henslow's  Bunting,  Henslow's  Grasshopper  Sparrow. 
Jones,  Auk,  XII,  1895,  241. 

Dr.  Wheaton  gives  it  in  his  catalogue  of  1882,  citing  ref- 
erences to  Audubon,  Birds  Am.,  Ill,  1841,  76,  and  his  own 
publications  based  upon  Audubon's  statement  and  upon  a 
supposed  specimen  which  Dr.  Wheaton  collected  in  the  vi- 
cinity of  Columbus  in  1856,  which  proved  to  be  the  young 
of  A.  s,  passerinus.  Dr.  Wheaton  eliminates  these  records 
and  says,"In  all  probability  Henslow's  Bunting  will  be  found 
not  uncommon  in  restricted  localities,  particularly  in  the 


PASSERES FRINGILLID,E.  145 

southern  and  western  portions  of  the  state."  It  seems, 
therefore,  that  the  reference  given  above  should  stand  as 
the  first  published  record  for  the  state.  During  the  entire 
summer  of  1894  this  sparrow  was  found  in  considerable 
numbers  about  Oberlin,  and  several  specimens  were  taken. 
I  have  looked  for  it  in  vain  every  year  since  then.  There 
are  no  other  reports  of  its  occurrence  within  the  state. 

200.  (549.1.)     AMMODRAMUS   NELSONI    (Allen).     — . 

Nelson  Sparrow. 

Synonyms:     Ammodramus  caudacutus  nelsoni. 
Nelson's  Sharp-tailed  Sparrow. 

To  Mr.  Robt.  J.  Sim,  of  Jefferson,  belongs  the  honor 
of  adding  this  interesting  bird  to  our  state  list.  The  bird 
was  captured  in  the  vicinity  of  Geneva,  Ashtabula  county, 
on  May  17,  1902,  and  sent  to  me  for  identification.  It 
proved  to  be  a  fine  specimen  in  full  spring  dress.  When 
captured  the  bird  was  on  a  bit  of  high,  almost  barren  ground 
which  lies  between  two  arms  of  the  extensive  marsh  near 
the  lake  shore.  It  seems  probable  that  this  secretive  bird 
may  be  found  sparingly  throughout  the  state  in  suitable 
places. 

201.  (552.)     CHONDESTES  GRAMMACUS   (Say).     98. 

Lark  Sparrow. 

Synonyms:     Chondestes   grammaca,   Fringilla  grammaca. 

Lark  Finch. 
Wheaton,  Field  Notes,  I,  1861,  129. 

The  appearance  and  spread  of  this,  one  of  the  most  beau- 
tiful singers  among  the  sparrows,  is  very  interesting.  Dr. 
Wheaton  records  the  first  ones  seen  in  1861.  In  1882  it 
had  spread  well  over  the  southern  half  of  the  state,  at  least 
as  far  as  the  Scioto  river,  but  was  not  known  north  of  the 
central  portion.  In  1890,  when  I  came  to  Oberlin,  it  was 
not  known  in  Lorain  county,  but  two  years  later  Mr.  L.  M. 
McCormick  found  it  on  the  Vermilion  river  bottoms.  Since 
that  time  it  has  been  found  regularly,  but  in  small  numbers 
in  the  western  half  of  the  county,  and  has  also  reached 


146  BIRDS   OF   OHIO. 

Cleveland.  Mr.  I.  A.  Field  has  found  it  not  uncommon  at 
Granville  and  at  Licking  reservoir.  It  has  not  been  report- 
ed from  the  eastern  third  of  the  state,  but  may  be  found 
there  within  a  few  years. 

This  is  one  of  the  great  grasshopper-eating  sparrows. 
During  its  stay  it  eats  almost  no  grain,  but  does  eat  grass, 
clover  and  weed  seeds,  and  numbers  of  weevils,  besides  the 
grasshoppers.  It  is  therefore  deserving  of  protection,  and 
should  never  be  persecuted. 

It  does  not  reach  Ohio  before  the  first  of  May,  and  is 
gone  again  early  in  September.  It  must  be  looked  for  in 
fields  bordering  woods,  where  it  nests  on  the  ground. 

202.     (554.)     ZONOTRICHIA  LEUCOPHRYS  (Forst.).     99. 
White-crowned  Sparrow. 

Synonyms:      Fringilla  leucophrys,  Emberiza  leucophrys. 

White-browed   Sparrow,     White-browed     Crowned   Sparrow, 

White-crowned  Bunting. 
Audubon,  Orn.  Biog.,  II,  1834,  88. 

There  is  little  danger  of  confusing  this  with  the  next 
species  in  the  spring,  but  far  more  in  the  autumn  when  the 
black  head  stripes  of  spring  have  given  place  to  brown,  and 
the  white  is  reduced  to  gray.  A  little  careful  attention  will 
discover  the  difference  between  them  at  any  time. 

In  Lorain  county  we  look  for  the  White-crowns  in  the 
brush  fringing  woods.  Sometimes  the  White-throats  may 
invade  their  favorite  places,  but  I  have  never  found  them 
invading  the  thickets  which  the  White-throats  regard  their 
own.  This  species  is  strictly  migratory,  and  has  never  been 
known  to  breed  in  Ohio,  although  Dr.  Kirtland  recorded 
them  in  July,  1850,  near  Cleveland. 

While  with  us  the  food  consists  of  vegetable  matter  three- 
fourths  to  the  animal  matter  one-fourth.  Of  the  vegetable 
matter  but  a  small  proportion  is  grain,  and  a  good  propor- 
tion of  that  is  probably  waste.  Some  fruit  is  eaten  during 
the  summer,  but  none  during  the  southward  journey,  or 
so  little  as  to  amount  to  nothing.  The  animal  food  is  about 
a  third  caterpillars,  the  rest  being  ants,  wasps,  beetles  and 


PASSERES FRINGILLID^E.  147 

but  few  grasshoppers.  It  would  thus  appear  that  this  spar- 
row is  deserving  of  protection  for  the  large  numbers  of 
weed  seeds  destroyed,  and  for  its  part  in  keeping  in  check 
the  insect  pests. 

The  White-crowned  Sparrow  reaches  Ohio  during  the 
first  five  days  of  May  and  remains  nearly  two  weeks.  It 
returns  again  early  in  October  and  remains  about  two 
weeks. 

203.     (558.)     ZONOTRICHIA  ALBICOLLIS   (Gmel.).     100. 
White-throated  Sparrow. 

Synonyms:      Fringilla  pennsylvanica,  F.  albicollis. 

White-throated  Crown  Sparrow,  Peabody-bird,  White-throat, 

Yellow-browed  Sparrow,  Bush  Sparrow. 
Kirtland,  Ohio  Geol.  Surv.,  1838,  164,  183. 

If  the  White-crowned  Sparrow  be  considered  common 
during  its  migrations  the  White-throat  &  abundant  usually. 
There  is  no  direct  evidence  that  it  ever  breeds  in  the  state. 
It  prefers  the  brushy  tangles  bordering  woods,  but  may  be 
found  in  almost  any  brushy  places  away  from  woods,  par- 
ticularly if  it  be  abundant.  It  associates  with  Song,  Field 
and  Vesper  Sparrows  more  or  less,  and  with  Juncos  some- 
times. The  clear,  whistled  call  or  song  may  rarely  be  heard 
during  the  southward  movement,  but  is  given  full-voiced 
during  the  northward  one.  To  one  familiar  with  the  bird 
its  alarm  call  is  characteristic. 

Weed  seeds  comprise  half  of  what  this  sparrow  eats, 
only  3  per  cent,  is  grain;  about  30  per  cent,  is  wild  fruit 
in  the  season  of  fruit.  The  insects  eaten  are  chiefly  harmful 
species.  The  debt  is  therefore  wholly  on  our  side  of  the 
account. 

The  White-throat  reaches  northern  Ohio  from  its  winter 
sojourn  in  the  southern  counties,  early  in  April  and  remains 
well  into  May.  It  returns  again  late  in  September  and  re- 
mains about  five  weeks. 


148  BIRDS   OF   OHIO. 

204.  (559.)     SPIZELLA  MONTICOLA    (Gmel.).     101. 

Tree  Sparrow. 

Synonyms:    •  Spizella  montana,   Fringilla  canadensis,  F.  monti- 

cola. 
Winter  Chippy,  Winter  Chip-bird,  American  Tree  Sparrow, 

Canadian  Sparrow. 
Kirtland,  Ohio  Geol.   Surv.,  1838,  164. 

Tree  Sparrow  is  by  far  our  most  abundant  winter  bird. 
It  ranges  both  woods  and  fields,  cleaning  up  every  weed 
patch  in  the  country.  It  lives  in  flocks  of  from  ten  or  a 
dozen  to  several  hundred  individuals,  and  not  infrequently 
sings  in  the  dead  of  winter.  One  could  not  watch  a  flock 
of  these  birds  for  five  minutes  and  retain  a  fit  of  the  "blues." 
In  the  coldest  and  stormiest  weather  they  find  something  to 
be  happy  about. 

These  birds  seem  to  have  a  preference  for  grass  seed, 
and  will  clean  up  anything  that  may  be  left  exposed.  But 
surely  no  thrifty  farmer  will  leave  his  millet  or  timothy 
shocks  out  all  winter  long.  In  the  absence  of  cultivated 
grasses  great  quantities  of  injurious  grass  seeds  are  de- 
stroyed. Only  two  per  cent,  of  animal  matter  is  eaten,  hence 
the  service  of  these  birds  lies  in  the  weed  seeds  destroyed. 

They  reach  Ohio  about  the  beginning  of  the  second  week 
in  October  and  remain  until  the  middle  of  April,  or  some- 
times even  into  the  last  week  of  April. 

205.  (560.)     SPIZELLA  SOCIALIS    (Wils.).     102. 

Chipping  Sparrow. 

Synonyms:     Spizella  domestica,  Fringilla  socialis. 

Chippy,    Chip-bird,    Hair-bird,    Chipping-bird,   Chipper. 
Kirtland,  Ohio  Geol.  Surv.,  1838,  164. 

This  sociable  little  bird  is  one  of  th^  door-yard  birds 
which  must  be  well  known  to  all  who  take  any  interest  in 
their  feathered  visitors.  He  may  nest  in  the  vine  which 
covers  the  trellis,  if  not  disturbed ;  or  at  least  in  one  of  the 
ornamenal  trees  in  your  yard,  or  in  the  grape-vine.  Some 
have  supposed  that  this  and  the  Tree  Sparrow  were  the 
same,  but  this  sparrow  goes  south  in  winter.  It  is  really 


PASSERES FRINGILLIDJE.  149-. 

abundant  during  the  entire  summer  throughout  the  state. 

The  food  consists  of  62  per  cent,  vegetable  to  38  animal 
matter.  Only  4  per  cent,  of  the  food  is  grain,  and  there 
seems  to  be  no  evidence  that  any.  fruit  is  eaten.  Of  the  38 
per  cent,  of  animal  food  a  large  part  consists  of  the  cater- 
pillars of  some  of  our  most  injurious  insects.  In  large 
part  these  are  such  insects  as  other  birds  do  not  find  be- 
cause they  are  afraid  to  come  so  near  human  habitations. 
Although  not  larger  than  your  thumb,  this  little  bird  is 
among  the  most  useful  of  our  sparrows. 

It  may  be  a  resident  in  the  southern  counties,  unless  the 
weather  is  too  severe.  In  northern  Ohio  it  appears  close  to 
the  first  of  April,  but  does  not  become  common  before  the 
last  of  the  month.  The  last  ones  leave  the  lake  shore  about 
the  middle  of  October. 

206.     (563.)     SPIZELLA  PUSILLA    (Wils.).     103. 
Field  Sparrow. 

Synonyms:     Fringilla  pusilla,  F.  juncorum,  Spizella  agrestis. 
Wood    Sparrow,    Bush    Sparrow,    Field    Chippy,    Red-billed 

Chippy,  Feo-feo. 
Kirtland,  Ohio  Geol.  Surv.,  1838,  164. 

The  Field  Sparrow  is  really  a  bush-haunting  sparrow, 
and  is  not  infrequently  called  the  brush  sparrow.  The 
brush  fringing  woods  is  the  favorite  haunt  of  this  species. 
Brushy  pastures  are  usually  full  of  them  and  their  nests. 
Their  peculiar  accelerando  song  is  characteristic  of  such 
places. 

The  food  habits  and  food  are  very  similar  to  those  of 
Chipping  Sparrow.  Both  deserve  strict  protection. 

The  Field  Sparrow  spends  the  entire  winter  south  of 
Ohio,  and  returns  during  the  third  week  in  March,  rarely 
earlier.  It  remains  well  into  October,  and  may  linger  until 
November  in  the  extreme  southern  part  of  the  state. 


150  BIRDS  OF  OHIO. 

207.  (567.)     JUNCO  HYEMALIS    (Linn.).     104. 

Slate-colored  Junco. 

Synonyms:     Fringilla  hyemalis. 

Snowbird,     Eastern    Snowbird,   Black   Snowbird,     Common 

Snowbird,  Junco,  White-bill. 
Kirtland,  Ohio  Geol.  Surv.,  1838,  164,  183. 

This  "Snowbird"  is  a  winter  resident  over  the  whole 
state,  but  is  not  usually  common  during  January  and  Feb- 
ruary in  the  extreme  north.  When  it  is  present  during 
these  months  it  is  pretty  closely  confined  to  the  deeper 
stream  gorges,  where  it  finds  food,  and  protection  from  the 
cold  winds.  In  the  central  and  southern  parts  of  the  state 
it  may  be  found  with  the  flocks  of  Tree  Sparrows  and  Gold- 
finches, well  scattered  over  the  country.  There  it  may  pass 
the  night  in  the  corn  shocks. 

During  the  winter  Junco  eats  weed  and  grass  seeds  al- 
most exclusively,  only  nine  per  cent,  of  its  entire  food  being 
animal.  There  is  so  little  grain  eaten  that  it  does  not  figure. 
Hence  the  Junco  is  a  great  aid  to  the  agricultural  inter- 
ests in  the  destruction  of  weeds. 

Junco  appears  in  northern  Ohio  about  the  first  of  October 
and  within  a  week  has  made  his  way  to  our  southern  bor- 
der. He  leaves  that  border  about  the  middle  of  April,  often 
later,  but  tarries  along  the  lake  shore  until  the  first  of  May. 

208.  (575a.)     PEUC.EA  JESTIVALIS  BACHMANII  (Aud.).  — • 

Bachman  Sparrow. 

Synonyms:     Fringilla  bachmanii. 

Oak-woods  Sparrow. 
Henninger,  Bulletin  Michigan  Orn.  Club,  II,  1898,  7. 

The  first  specimen  was  captured  by  C.  M.  Weed,  August 
18,  1890,  at  Columbus.  The  specimens  reported  by  Rev. 
Mr.  Henninger  in  the  above  reference  were  taken  on  April 
23,  and  a  second  observed  on  May  3,  1897,  at  South  Web- 
ster. Miss  Laura  Gano  reports  several  on  April  27,  and 
later,  on  Grosbeck  Hill,  Avondale,  and  College  Hill,  Cin- 
cinnati. Leander  S.  Keyser  sends  a  questionable  record 
for  Clarke  county.  The  invasion  has  been  from  the  south- 


PASSERES FRINGILLID^E.  151 

west,  with  an  apparent  intention  of  remaining  to  possess 
the  state.  Let  us  hope  so. 

209.     (581.)     MELOSPIZA  CINEREA  MELODIA  (Wils.).    105. 
Song  Sparrow. 

Synonyms:      Melospiza  fasciata,   M.  melodia,  Fringilla  melodia, 

F.  fasciata. 
Silver-tongue. 
Kirtland,  Ohio  Geol.  Surv.,  1838,  164. 

Next  to  the  Chipping  Sparrow,  this  is  probably  our  best 
known  sparrow  (always  omitting  mention  of  Britain's  con- 
stant representative).  It  is  present  during  the  entire  year 
in  all  parts  of  the  state,  but,  unlike  Junco,  is  far  less  com- 
mon in  the  northern  third  in  winter  than  elsewhere,  and  far 
less  than  it  is  during  the  summer.  In  summer  it  lives  in 
the  brushy  tangles  bordering  woods  and  swamps,  or  the 
fields  where  weeds  are  allowed  to  grow,  or  even  the  back 
yards  in  -the  more  thinly  settled  parts  of  towns  and  villages. 
In  winter  it  loves  brush  piles  in  the  woods,  provided  there 
is  a  good  supply  of  food  at  hand.  It  is  also  found  in  some 
numbers  in  the  thick  tangle  of  grass  and  sedges  bordering 
the  swamps  and  bogs.  It  begins  to  sing  early  in  February 
if  there  be  bright  days.  The  early  spring  songs  differ  from 
the  later  ones. 

Only  six  per  cent,  of  the  food  of  this  sparrow  could  pos- 
sibly be  of  any  use  to  man,  while  the  weeds  and  injurious 
insects  destroyed  are  something  enormous  in  quantity  when 
the  abundance  of  the  species  is  considered.  It  is  true  that 
its  increasing  familiarity  tends  to  develop  in  it  a  taste  for 
ripe  fruits  and  more  grain,  but  the  useful  things  destroyed 
are  so  completely  overbalanced  by  the  good  it  does  that  we 
can,  afford  to  freely  forgive  and  forget. 

,  The  great  increase  in  the  numbers  of  this  sparrow  in 
jLorain  county  occurs  about  the  first  of  April;  then  large 
numbers  arrive  from  the  south  and  swell  the  numbers  al- 
ready here. 


152  BIRDS   OF  OHIO. 

210.  (583.)     MELOSPIZA  LINCOLNII    (Aud.).     107. 

Lincoln    Sparrow. 

Synonyms:      Fringilla  lincolnii. 

Lincoln's  Finch,  Lincoln's  Song  Sparrow. 
Wheaton,  Ohio  Agri.  Report,  1874,  566. 

Little  seems  to  be  known  of  this  sparrow.  Its  close  re- 
semblance to  Song  Sparrow  probably  causes  it  to  be  con- 
fused with  that  species.  It  is  nowhere  common  in  the 
state,  even  during  the  height  of  the  migrations.  It  does 
not  breed  with  us,  but  passes  north.  I  have  usually  found 
it  in  low  brushy  woods,  rarely  in  the  fields  bordering  woods. 
It  skulks  about  in  the  grass  and  weeds-  more  than  the  Song 
Sparrow,  and  has  a  very  different  song.  One  would  not 
confuse  the  two  a  second  time.  Rev.  Mr.  Henninger  re- 
gards it  as  common  during  the  migrations  in  Scioto  county. 

It  arrives  in  southern  Ohio  early  in  April,  but  Lorairi 
county  records  all  fall  in  May.  It  is  not  unlikely  that  the 
birds  passing  up  the  Scioto  river  are  earlier  than  those 
which  travel  overland  to  reach  Lorain  county.  The  birds 
stay  but  a  few  days  and  pass  north.  In  the  autumn  they  re- 
turn late  in  September  or  early  in  October. 

211.  (584.)     MELOSPIZA  GEORGIANA    (Lath.).     106. 

Swamp  Sparrow. 

Synonyms:     Melospiza  palustris,  Fringilla  palustris,  F.  georgi- 

ana. 

Swamp  Song  Sparrow,  Spotted  Swamp  Sparrow. 
Kirtland,  Ohio  Geol.  Surv.,  1838,  164. 

The  Swamp  Sparrow  is  so  much  confused  with  the  Song 
and  other  brush-haunting  sparrows  that  it  is  difficult  to 
determine  its  exact  standing.  Judging  from  the  reports  it 
is  not  common  during  the  migrations.  It  is  reported  as 
breeding  near  Circleville,  by  Dr.  Howard  Jones,  who  found 
a  nest  in  May,  1881,  which  contained  five  eggs.  The  bird 
was  shot.*  I  have  looked  for  it  in  vain  from  Cleveland  to 
Sandusky  on  the  lake  shore,  in  summer.  My  own  experi- 
ence with  it  would  indicate  that  it  is  fairly  common  during 

"Illustrations  of  the  Nests  and  Eggs  of  Ohio  Birds,  p.  186. 


PASSERES FRINGILLID^:.  153 

the  spring  migrations  in  Lorain  county.  It  frequents  rather 
wet  woods  which  are  much  grown  with  brush,  as  well  as  the 
more  swampy  places. 

In  food  habits  this  sparrow  is  not  injurious,  but  its  pref- 
erence for  swampy  places,  where  it  feeds  upon  the  insects 
and  seeds,  does  not  give  it  a  high  standing  as  a  beneficial 
species.  However,  it  must  be  classed  as  one  of  the  sparrows 
which  does  more  good  than  harm. 

This  sparrow  reaches  Lorain  county  about  April  21, 
and  remains  until  about  the  middle  of  May,  returning  again 
late  in  September  for  ten  days  or  two  weeks. 

212.     (585.)     PASSERELLA  ILIACA    (Merr.).     108. 
Fox  Sparrow. 

Synonyms:     Fringilla  iliaca. 

Eastern   Fox   Sparrow,   Fox-colored    Sparrow,   Rufous    Spar- 
row. 
Kirtland,  Ohio  Geol.  Surv.,  1838,  164. 

This  is  a  common  migrant  both  spring  and  autumn.  It 
is  found  in  the  brushy  woods  in  company  with  the  other 
sparrows  which  haunt  such  places,  but  it  seems  to  feel  an 
aloofness  to  them.  It  is  rather  slow  and  sedate  in  carriage, 
not  skulking  in  the  brush  piles  as  much  as  the  others. 

Fox  Sparrow  is  fond  of  millipeds  in  April,  and  eats 
many  ground  beetles  during  that  month  also.  Of  the  86  per 
cent,  of  vegetable  matter  which  constitutes  its  food,  some 
30  per  cent,  consists  of  the  seeds  of  fruit.  The  remaining 
vegetable  matter  is  largely  seeds  of  ragweeds  and  poly- 
gonum.  While  some  of  the  insects  are  useful,  and  possibly 
some  of  the  fruit  is  cultivated,  the  destruction  of  weed 
seeds  is  so  large  that  the  birds  perform  a  great  service  to 
agriculture. 

This  is  one  of  the  early  spring  sparrows,  arriving  at 
Obsrlin  about  the  middle  of  March  and  remaining  five 
weeks.  It  returns  again  during  the  last  week  in  September, 
or  the  first  week  in  October,  and  remains  a  month. 


154  BIRDS   OF  OHIO. 

213,  (587.)     PIPILO  ERYTHROPHTHALMUS    (Linn.).     109. 

Towhee. 

Synonyms:     Fringilla  erythrophthalma. 

Towhee  Bunting,  Chewink,  Ground  Robin,  Marsh  Robin, 
Red-eyed  Towhee,  Jewee,  Joree,  Pink-pink,  Wink,  Wink- 
wink,  Pipilo,  Turkey  Sparrow. 

Kirtland,  Ohio  Geol.   Surv.,  1838,  164. 

Towhee  is  a  resident  over  most  of  the  state,  but  in  small 
numbers  north.  It  is  likely  that  the  resident  birds  are  males 
while  the  females  are  more  migratory.  In  northern  Ohio 
the  winter  birds  must  be  looked  for  in  well  protected  places 
where  food  is  easily  obtainable.  During  the  summer  the 
Towhee  may  be  found  in  almost  any  thicket  bordered 
woods,  or  in  the  lower  brushy  second  growth.  I  have  found 
nests  in  the  higher,  more  open  woods,  as  well  as  in  the 
brushy  tangles.  No  one  who  visits  the  woods  can  have 
failed  to  make  the  acquaintance  of  this  strong-voiced  bird. 

The  food  habits  do  not  seem  to  have  been  carefully  in- 
vestigated, but  from  the  structure  and  general  habits  one 
might  infer  that  this  rather  unsparrow-like  sparrow  feeds 
more  after  the  fashion  of  the  Robin.  Such  insects  as  haunt 
the  ground  are  eaten  in  considerable  quantities,  as  well  as 
the  weed  seeds  that  may  be  found  in  the  woods.  It  is  cer- 
tainly true  that  Towhee  is  useful  as  a  weed  destroyer. 

The  migrating  females  reach  southern  Ohio  about  the 
middle  of  April  and  depart  about  the  middle  of  November. 
The  migrating  males  reach  Oberlin  about  the  middle  of 
March,  and  but  few  remain  after  the  first  of  November. 

214.  (593.)     CARDINALIS  CARDINALIS    (Linn.).     110. 

Cardinal. 

Synonyms:      Cardinalis    virginianus,    Fringilla    cardinalis,    Pity- 

lus  cardinalis,  Loxia  cardinalis. 

Cardinal  Redbird,  Crested  Redbird,  Top-knot,  Redbird.     ,  .  i 
Audubon,  Orn.  Biog.,  II,  1834,  366. 

Cardinal  is  now  a  common  resident  over  the  entire  state,. 
Ten  years  ago  it  was  scarce  in  Lorain  county,  and  even  now 
is  far  less  numerous  at  the  lake  shore  than  twenty  miles 


PASSERES FRINGILLID^E.  155 

south.  Lately  it  has  appeared  at  London,  Ontario.  Clear- 
ly it  is  extending  its  range  from  year  to  year.  With  more 
thorough  protection  it  will  soon  become  one  of  our  most 
familiar  birds. 

This  large,  strong  beaked  bird  is  made  for  a  diet  of  seeds 
which  most  other  sparrows  could  not  crush.  I  sometimes 
wonder  what  the  birds  which  apparently  spend  all  their  time 
in  towns  and  villages  find  to  eat  there.  But  there  are  al- 
ways gardens  with  more  weeds  than  vegetables.  Weed 
seeds  must  form  a  large  proportion  of  its  food,  with  a  small 
proportion  of  insects  and  fruit.  I  have  yet  to  hear  com- 
plaints about  the  destructiveness  of  this  brilliant  plumaged 
bird.  Its  loud,  clear  whistled  calls  and  song  are  familiar 
to  most  persons,  whether  they  go  into  the  woods  or  not. 

Away  from  towns  and  villages  the  birds  are  thicket 
haunters.  They  are  often  more  numerous  along  the  courses 
of  streams  than  elsewhere,  especially  during  the  winter. 

215.     (595.)     ZAMELODIA  LUDOVICIANA     (Linn.).     111. 
Rose-breasted  Grosbeak. 

Synonyms:  Goniaphea  ludoviciana,  Fringilia  ludoviciana,  Coc- 
cothraustes  ludoviciana,  Guiraca  ludoviciana,  Hedy- 
meles  ludoviciana,  Habia  ludoviciana. 

Rose-breasted  Song  Grosbeak,  Rose-breast,  Redbreast,  Red- 
breasted   Song  Grosbeak,  Red-breasted  Grosbeak,  Potato- 
bug  Bird. 
Audubon,  Orn.  Biog.  II,  1834,  166. 

The  Rose-breasted  Grosbeak  is  hardly  common  as  a  mi- 
grant in  the  southern  half  of  the  state.  It  is  a  summer 
resident  in  the  northern  half,  but  is  rare  as  far  south  as 
Columbus,  and  not  common  at  the  lake  shore.  It  is  not 
infrequently  seen  among  the  shade  trees  bordering  village 
streets,  and  may  nest  in  the  parks  if  not  persecuted.  Its 
favorite  nesting-place  is  a  woods  in  which  there  are  patches 
of  second  growth  or  large  bushes.  Briar  patches  and 
brushy  tangles  do  not  seem  to  offer  many  inducements. 

The  "gross"  beak  is  adapted  for  crushing  strong  seeds, 
upon  which  it  feeds  to  a  large  extent.  It  is  also  accused  of 
eating  ripe  fruit.  I  have  seen  it  eating  the  buds  from 


156  BIRDS    OF    OHIO. 

trees.  The  birds  are  not  numerous  enough  to  be  of  much 
use  or  harm,  but  they  are  certainly  more  useful  than  harm- 
ful. 

These  grosbeaks  reach  Oberlin  close  to  the  first  of  May 
and  remain  until  the  middle  of  September. 

,216.     (598.)     CYANOSPIZA  CYANEA    (Linn.).     112. 

Indigo  Bunting. 
Synonyms:      Passerina   cserulea,     Passerina   cyanea,     Fringilla 

cyanea,  Tanagra  cyanea. 

Indigobird,   Indigo   Painted   Finch,   Indigo  Painted   Bunting, 
Indigo  Bluebird,  Blue  Linnet,  Green  Linnet,  Indigo,  Green 
•...,-.         Bird,  Blue  Nonpareil. 
Kirtland,  Ohio  Geol.  Surv.,  1838,  164,  183.  ' 

The  Indigobird  is  a  common  summer  bird  over  the  entire 
state,  being  almost  abundant  in  some  places.  It  is  fond 
of  any  sort  of  thicket,  from  the  brush  fringing  woods 
and  weedy  briar  tangles  to  the  rank  vegetation  bordering 
streams,  marshes,  and  ponds,  where  it  breeds. 

Its  food  is  similar  to  that  of  the  Field  Sparrow,  with 
which  it  lives  in  perfect  harmony.  It  is  therefore  one  of 
the  more  useful  of  sparrows,  of  great  service  to  agriculture 
because  it  is  so  numerous. 

It  reaches  the  state  about  the  first  of  May  and  stays  until 
October. 

217.     (604.)     SPIZA  AMERICANA     (Gmel.).     113. 
Dickcissel. 

Synonyms:     Euspiza  americana,  Fringilla  americana,  Emberiza 

americana. 
Black-throated    Bunting,    Little    Meadowlark,    Little    Field 

Lark,  Judas  Bird,  Judas  Iscariot. 
Kirtland,  Ohio  Geol.  Surv.,  1838,  164,  183. 

Dr.  Wheaton's  statement  that  this  species  is  an  "Abun- 
dant summer  resident  from  May  to  September,  in  Middle 
and  Southern,  less  common  in  Northern  Ohio,"  hardly  ap- 
plies now.  It  is  fairly  common,  and  locally  abundant,  east 
to  Licking  county,  and  north  to  Columbus,  but  is  rare  north 
to  Cleveland,  and  seems  to  be  wholly  unknown  east  of 
Cleveland.  It  is  more  numerous  in  the  northwestern  part 


PASSERES TANAGRID^:.  157 

-of  the  state  than  east  of  Toledo.  It  is  a  summer  resident 
wherever  it  occurs,  living  and  nesting  in  the  fields  much 
after  the  manner  of  the  Meadowlark. 

Unlike  most  of  the  sparrows,  Dickcissel  eats  more  than 
twice  as  much  animal  matter  as  vegetable  matter.  Of  the 
vegetable  matter  only  three  per  cent,  is  grain,  the  rest  being 
weed  seeds.  Of  the  animal  matter  fully  half  of  all  food 
eaten  is  grasshoppers  and  crickets.  A  small  percentage  of 
useful  insects  is  eaten,  but  it  is  so  small  a  proportion 
that  no  account  of  them  need  be  taken.  This  is,  therefore, 
one  of  our  most  useful  summer  sparrows. 

Rev.  Mr.  Henninger  states  that  it  is  a  rare  summer  resi- 
dent in  both  Pike  and  Scioto  counties  where  it  has  been 
unknown  until  within  the  last  six  years. 

Family  TANAGRID^E.    Tanagers. 

Only  one  of  the  two  members  of  this  family  found  in 
Ohio  is  distributed  over  the  entire  state.  Both  have  bril- 
liant plumage,  and  both  are  fairly  good  singers.  While 
they  are  woods-haunting  birds,  the  Scarlet  Tanager  fre- 
quently nests  in  parks  and  shade  trees  in  cities  and  towns. 

218.       (G08.)       PlRANGA    ERYTHROMELAS     Vieill.       82. 

Scarlet  Tanager. 

Synonyms:     Pyranga  rubra,  Tanagra  rubra,  P.  erythromelas. 
Black-winged    Redbird,    Pocket-bird,    Scarlet   Sparrow,   Can- 
ada Tanager,  Red  Tanager,  Scarlet  Black-winged  Tanager. 
Kirtland,  Ohio  Geol.  Surv.,  1838,  164. 

In  spite  of  his  brilliant  dress,  and  in  spite  of  the  fact  that 
he  is  one  of  our  common  birds  in  every  part  of  the  state, 
there  are  many  persons  who  do  not  know  the  Scarlet  Tan- 
ager. When  chance  throws  him  so  directly  in  their  path  that 
they  must  see  him,  he  is  heralded  as  the  rarest  of  birds 
dropped  down  from  — Limbo!  How  many  there  are  who, 
having  eyes,  see  not !  There  is  no  part  of  the  state  where 
this  is  not  a  common  summer  resident.  It  sometimes  nests 
in  our  city  and  village  parks,  well  up  among  the  branches. 

This  .bird   destroys   insects,   weed   seeds,   and   eats   wild 


158  BIRDS  OF  OHIO. 

fruit.  I  have  seen  it  cutting  the  tender  buds  from  elm  trees 
and  eating  them.  It  is  not  injurious  in  any  way,  and  is  of 
considerable  service  to  the  farmer. 

The  Scarlet  Tanager  reaches  Ohio  about  the  first  of  May, 
frequently  earlier,  and  returns  to  the  south  late  in  Sep- 
tember. 

219.     (610.)     PIRANGA  RUBRA    (Linn.).    83. 
Summer  Tanager. 

Synonyms:     Pyranga  sestiva,  Tanagra  aestiva,  Fringilla  rubra. 
Summer    Redbird,    Rose    Tanager,    Red    Bee-bird,    Flaxbird, 

Redbird,  Mississippi  Tanager,  Variegated  Tanager. 
Audubon,  Orn.  Biog.,  I,  1831,  232. 

The  distribution  of  this  southern  species  in  our  state  is 
rather  remarkable.  It  is  found  in  Trumbull,  Portage  and 
Columbiana  counties  in  the  east,  but  does  not  go  beyond 
Franklin  in  the  center  nor  Montgomery  in  the  west,  except 
casually.  It  thus  appears  to  remain  close  to  the  Ohio  river 
or  its  main  tributaries.  Its  northeast  range  appears  to  be  due 
to  a  recent  movement,  since  Dr.  Wheaton  says  nothing  about 
it.  There  is  no  direct  evidence,  except  the  northeast  move- 
ment, that  its  range  is  being  much  extended.  No  doubt 
there  will  be  records  of  individuals  from  further  north,  as 
our  activity  in  field  work  increases,  but  any  considerable  ex- 
tension of  its  range  in  the  next  half  century  does  not  seem 
likely. 

The  deep  ravines  and  gorges  of  the  southeastern  and 
southern  parts  of  the  state  seem  to  be  the  favorite  abiding 
places  of  this  not  very  brilliant  tanager.  During  a  boating 
trip  down  the  Muskingum  and  Ohio  rivers,  from  Zanes- 
ville  to  Ironton,  with  my  friend  and  fellow  bird  student, 
Rev.  William  Leon  Dawson,  during  August  of  1902,  we 
found  these  birds  at  almost  every  stop  below  Marietta. 
They  are  not  uncommon  about  McConnellsville,  where 
Messrs.  C.  H.  Morris  and  E.  J.  Arrick  have  found  them 
nesting,  but  we  were  not  fortunate  in  finding  them  during 
our  stay  there.  Mr.  Arrick  well  described  the  peculiar  call 
note,  which  was  often  heard  along  the  Ohio  river,  by  the 


PASSERES HIRUNDINUXE. 

syllables,  cluckity  chuckity  chuck,  or  chuckity  tuckity  tuck. 

This  tanager's  food  is  like  that  of  the  Scarlet  Tanager — 
insects,  varied  by  frequent  helps  of  weed  seeds  and  wild 
fruits  in  their  season.  It  is  distinctly  useful. 

It  seems  to  slightly  precede  the  Scarlet  Tanager  in  its 
arrival,  appearing  during  the  last  week  in  April  and  tarry- 
ing well  into  September. 

Family  HiRUNDiNiDyE.     Swallows  and  Martins. 

Five  swallows  and  one  martin  spend  the  summer  in  Ohio. 
These  birds  pass  most  of  their  days  on  the  wing  feeding  and 
playing.  The  martins  are  less  active  on  the  wing,  but  are 
good  flycatchers  nevertheless.  All  of  this  family  not  only 
rival  but  exceed  the  true  Flycatchers  as  destroyers  of  fly- 
ing insects,  usually  feeding  upon  the  insects  which  fly  high- 
er or  in  the  more  open  fields.  Some  glean  from  the  top  of 
the  grass  as  they  fly.  A  large  colony  of  swallows  under  the 
eaves  of  a  stock  barn  is  the  best  friend  of  the  milkman. 

220.     (611.)     PROGNE  SUBIS    (Linn.).     76. 
Purple  Martin. 

Synonyms:     Hirundo  purpurea,  H.  subis,  Progne  purpurea. 

Martin,  Purple  Swallow,  Black  Martin,  Black  Swallow,  Great 

American  Martin,  Blackbird  Swallow. 
Kirtland,  Ohio  Geol.  Surv.,  1838,  162. 

Dr.  Wheaton  reported  this  as  an  "Abundant  summer  res- 
ident." If  abundant  anywhere  now  it  is  not  so  reported. 
There  may  still  be  a  few  colonies  where  large  numbers  of 
individuals  breed.  I  have  seen  more  at  Lewiston  reservoir, 
where  we  found  them  nesting  in  the  stumps  projecting 
above  the  water,  than  elsewhere.  But  even  here  they  were 
not  abundant.  It  seems  clear  that  twenty  years  have  served 
to  greatly  diminish  their  numbers  over  the  entire  state. 
What  the  cause  of  this  decrease  may  be  is  hard  to  determine. 
Many  have  declared  that  since  both  Martins  and  English 
Sparrows  use  the  bird-houses,  and  since  the  sparrows  are 
on  hand  all  winter,  the  Martins  find  their  homes  preempted 
when  they  return,  and  are  unable  to  regain  possession.  If, 


160  BIRDS  OF  OHIO. 

as  we  are  told  by  Dr.  W.  B.  Barrows  in  his  report  upon  the 
English  Sparrow,  the  sparrows  are  successful  in  driving 
the  Martins  away  only  half  of  the  time,  that  would  fully 
account  for  the  decrease  in  numbers.  There  can  be  little 
question  that  at  least  a  part  of  the  decrease  must  be  attrib- 
uted to  the  sparrow. 

It  should  not  be  necessary  to  state  that  the  food  of  the 
Purple  Martin  consists  largely  of  flying  insects.  During 
the  time  the  young  are  fed  the  old  birds  are  driven  to  search 
the  ground  as  well  as  the  air  for  grasshoppers  and  other 
large  insects  to  appease  the  appetite  of  the  always  hungry 
young  ones.  Their  services  to  mankind  will  only  be  appre- 
ciated when  they  are  gone  and  nothing  takes  their  place 
as  destroyers  of  the  insects  which  cause  us  so  great  annoy- 
ance. 

The  Martin  not  infrequently  reaches  our  southern  border 
during  the  second  week  in  March,  and  the  lake  shore  dur- 
ing the  third  week.  It  moves  south  again  about 
September  15.  Rev.  Mr.  Henninger  reports  an  albino  at 
South  Webster,  Scioto  county,  March  29,  1895. 

221.     (612.)     PETROCHELIDON  LUNIFRONS    (Say.).     77. 
Cliff  Swallow. 

Synonyms:     Hirundo  fulva,  H.  lunifrons. 

Eave  Swallow,  Crescent  Swallow,  Mud  Swallow,  Mud  Daub- 
er,   Square-tailed    Barn    Swallow,    White-fronted    Swallow, 
Rocky  Mountain  Swallow,  Republican. 
Bonaparte,  I,  1825,  65. 

The  Cliff  Swallow  nests  in  colonies,  and  is  therefore 
common  and  may  be  abundant  in  a  few  places.  It  is  hardly 
common  in  Lorain  county.  There  is  no  record  of  a  colony 
nesting  away  from  human  habitations  in  Ohio  since  its  set- 
tlement by  civilized  people.  Their  favorite  nesting-place  is 
under  the  eaves  of  a  barn  or  other  similar  building,  often  in 
companies  of  several  hundred,  where  the  building  affords 
enough  room.  The  flask-shaped  mud  nests  are  familiar  to 
every  farm  boy. 

Like  the  other  swallows,  the  Cliff  Swallow  feeds  upon 


PASSERES HIRUNDINID.E  161 

the  insects  that  fly  a  good  deal,  catching  them  in  mid-air. 
These  swallows  are  much  liked  by  intelligent  stock  farmers 
and  dairymen,  for  they  keep  in  check  the  flies  that  annoy 
the  herds  and  milch  cows. 

The  Cliff  Swallow  appears  at  Oberlin  during  the  last 
week  in  April.  It  leaves  its  nesting-places  early  in  July 
and  is  gone  south  by  the  last  of  September. 

222.     (613.)     HIRUNDO  ERYTHROGASTER  Bodd.    78. 
Barn  Swallow. 

Synonyms:     Hirundo  rufa,  H.  horreorum,  H. erythrogaster  var. 

horreorum,  Chelidon  erythrogastra. 
Fork-tailed  Barn  Swallow,  American  Barn  Swallow,  House 

Swallow. 
Kirtland,  Ohio  Geol.  Surv.,  1838,  162. 

This  is  the  most  common  and  familiar  of  our  swallows, 
always  remembering  that  the  Chimney  Swift  is  not  a  swal- 
low. While  it  is  not  in  such  great  numbers  as  the  Vesper 
Sparrow,  it  may  be  fairly  called  abundant  in  practically  all 
parts  of  the  state  as  a  summer  resident.  It  nests  in  barns 
or  almost  any  large  out-building,  or  unused  house ;  or  under 
bridges.  There  is  no  record  of  the  nests  of  this  species 
under  cliffs  or  in  caves,  as  its  habit  was  before  civilized  man 
appeared  in  America.  In  Oberlin  the  Barn  Swallow  is  a 
familiar  bird,  nesting  in  any  barn  that  may  be  left  open  for 
it.  One  may  see  them  flying  about  the  streets  catching  in- 
sects at  any  time  of  day,  during  the  summer. 

This  swallow  frequently  gleans  from  the  grass  tops,  as  it 
skims  along  without  apparent  effort.  House  flies  are  also 
eaten,  as  well  as  the  species  of  dancing  flies  which  annoy 
the  wheelman. 

The  appearance  of  Barn  Swallows  in  spring  largely  de- 
pends upon  the  weather.  They  are  such  strong  fliers  that 
they  may  venture  north  for  a  single  day  early  in  March, 
during  one  of  the  spring-like  days  which  are  pretty  sure  to 
come,  or  they  may  tarry  south  until  early  April.  The  most 
have  gone  south  by  the  first  of  September,  but  individuals 
usually  remain  until  the  last  week  in  September. 


162  BIRDS  OF  OHIO. 

223.     (614.)     IRIDOPROCNE  BICOLOR    (Vieill.).     79. 
Tree  Swallow. 

Synonyms:     Hirundo  bicolor,  Tachycineta  bicolor. 

White-bellied  Swallow,  Blue-backed  Swallow,  Field  Swallow, 

River    Swallow,      Wood    Swallow,    Green-blue      Swallow, 

Black-and-white  Swallow. 
Kirtland,  Ohio  Geol.  Surv.,  1838,  162. 

Dr.  Wheaton  reported  this  as  a  "Very  common  summer 
resident."  The  only  place  where  I  have  found  it  abundant 
was  at  Lewiston  reservoir  in  July,  where  the  birds 
swarmed  about  the  multitudes  of  stumps  in  which  they 
nested.  Not  even  the  English  Sparrow  ventured  to  disturb 
them  there.  In  late  July  and  early  August  the  Tree  Swal- 
lows roost  in  our  northern  marshes  at  night,  or  line  the 
telegraph  wires  which  pass  such  localities.  They  are 
abundant  enough  then,  but  where  they  have  come  from  is  a 
mystery.  Certainly  not  from  the  immediate  region,  for  they 
are  not  found  except  in  small  numbers  during  the  summer. 
A  few  are  willing  to  occupy  the  bird  boxes  erected  for  them 
and  the  Martins  and  Bluebirds,  but  most  of  them  prefer  to 
cling  to  their  primitive  habits  of  nesting  in  hollow  trees. 

The  food  differs  from  that  of  the  other  members  of  this 
group  only  in  the  difference  in  insects  which  naturally  in- 
habit such  regions  as  these  swallows  frequent  a  part  of  the 
year.  During  the  weeks  when  the  swallows  are  collecting 
for  their  southward  journey  they  roost  together  in  mixed 
companies  of  the  several  species,  but  one  species  usually 
predominates. 

The  Tree  Swallows  arrive  and  depart  with  the  Cliff  Swal- 
lows, t 

224:.     (616.)     CLIVICOLA  RIPARIA    (Linn.).     80. 
Bank  Swallow. 

Synonyms:     Cotyle  riparia,  Hirundo  riparia,  Riparia  riparia. 

Sand  Martin,   Sand   Swallow. 
Kirtland,  Ohio  Geol.  Surv.,  1838,  162. 

The  Bank  Swallow  shifts  its  breeding-places  to  suit  local 
conditions  and  therefore  may  be  reported  as  common  at  one 


PASSERES HIRUNDINHXE.  163 

locality  for  a  term  of  years  and  afterward  wholly  absent. 
The  banks  in  which  it  burrows  to  rear  its  brood  are  con- 
stantly changing,  sometimes  wholly  disappearing.  Rail- 
road cuts  furnish  suitable  places  for  a  short  time,  and  then 
become  unfitted  by  the  caving  of  the  perpendicuar  banks  to 
form  a  sloping  bank.  River  banks  and  the  clay  banks  fac- 
ing Lake  Erie  are  not  alike  two  years  in  succession.  Where 
a  colony  of  some  200  pairs  of  the  Bank  Swallow  nested  for 
three  years  not  one  is  to  be  found  now.  The  bank  caved  off 
back  of  the  nests  twice  in  succession  during  the  same 
spring,  both  times  after  many  nests  had  been  finished  and 
the  eggs  deposited.  That  was  too  much  for  the  swallows. 
Now  there  is  but  one  large  colony  in  Lorain  county  on  the 
lake  shore,  but  there  are  several  small  colonies.  At  the 
lake  shore  the  birds  might  justly  be  called  decidedly  com- 
mon, but  elsewhere  in  the  county  they  are  scarce.  Before 
the  spread  of  the  English  Sparrows  into  the  country  ham- 
lets Bank  Swallows  nested  in  the  shale  cliffs  on  Vermilion 
river,  but  now  the  sparrows  occupy  all  of  the  available 
nesting-places. 

With  the  restriction  that  this  swallow  may  be  found 
where  cliffs  or  banks  afford  nesting-places,  and  not  over 
the  .country  generally,  it  may  be  called  common  over  the 
entire  state,  during  the  summer.  It  is,  of  course,  locally 
common. 

Bank  Swallow  reaches  the  lake  shore  about  the  begin- 
ning of  the  last  week  in  April,  leaves  its  nesting-places  early 
in  July,  and  has  gone  south  by  the  middle  of  September. 

225.     (617.)     STELGIDOPTERYX   SERRIPENNIS    (Aud.).     81. 
Rough-winged   Swallow. 

Synonyms:      Cotyle  serripennis,  Hirundo  serripennis. 

"Bank  Swallow,"  Rough-wing. 
Kirkpatrick,  Ohio  Farmer,  VIII,  1859,  290. 

This  species  is  so  little  known,  probably  because  of  its 
resemblance  to  the  Bank  Swallow,  that  reports  are  meager. 
Dr.  Wheaton  says,  "Next  to  the  Barn  Swallow,  this  appears 
to  be  our  most  abundant  species."  Judging  from  my  own 


164  BIRDS  OF  OHIO. 

observations  in  several  representative  places  in  the  state,  such 
is  not  the  case  now.  The  term  common  better  applies. 
These  birds  may  be  found  about  bridges,  perpendicular 
rocky  cliffs,  and  sometimes  in  company  with  the  Bank 
Swallow,  with  which  it  nests  to  a  limited  degree.  I  have 
never  seen  it  in  such  large  companies  as  the  Bank  Swallow, 
but  six  to  ten  birds  together  is  not  uncommon.  The  nest  is 
usually  made  in  a  crevice  of  the  rocks,  and  is  not  made  by 
the  birds,  although  it  may  be  cleared  of  loose  earth  or 
rubbish. 

The  food  is  not  much  unlike  that  of  the  other  members  of 
this  group.  It  may  be  seen  swinging  back  and  forth  over 
the  fields  or  up  and  down  a  rock  walled  stream,  usually 
feeding  below  the  top  of  the  cliffs. 

The  Rough-wing  arrives  a  few  days  later  than  the  Bank 
Swallow,  and  does  not  leave  the  streams  before  the  middle 
of  July.  It  has  gone  south  by  the  first  of  September. 

Family  AMPELHXE.     Waxwings. 

Both  waxwings  have  been  found  in  Ohio,  only  the  Cedar 
regularly.'  They  are  almost  silent  birds,  having  no  true 
song  and  but  a  weak  chatter.  They  are  erratic  in  habits, 
usually  occur  in  flocks,  and  frequently  nest  in  our  orchards. 
Their  plumage  is  soft  and  delicate.  The  conspicuous 
crest  is  a  good  field  mark. 

226.     (618.)     AMPELIS  GARRULUS   Linn.     74. 
Bohemian   Waxwing. 

Synonyms:     Bombycilla  garrula,  Lanius  garrulus. 

Bohemian  Chatterer,  Northern  Chatterer,  European  Chat- 
terer, Waxen  Chatterer,  Northern  Waxwing,  European 
Waxwing. 

Kirtland,  Am.  Journal  Sci.  and  Arts,  XL,  1841,  20. 

There  is  nothing  to  add  to  what  Dr.  Wheaton  has  said 
about  this  winter  bird.  From  that  account  it  appears  that 
the  species  was  a  somewhat  regular  winter  visitor  in  the 
vicinity  of  Cleveland  to  about  1860.  Since  that  time  I  have 
been  unable  to  find  records  for  Ohio.  It  is  just  possible  that 


PASSERES LANIID.E  165 

the  bird  does  reach  our  northern  border  sometimes  still, 
but  is  not  distinguished  from  the  Cedar  Waxwing.  Ob- 
servers should  be  on  the  watch  during  our  cold  weather, 
and  especially  be  suspicious  of  any  Waxwing  which  appears 
during  such  severe  cold. 

Dr.  Kirtland  states  that  these  birds  were  "attracted  by  the 
berries  of  the  mountain  ash  and  hawthorn,  and  the  fruit  of 

the  persimmon." 

« 

227.     (619.)     AMPELIS  CEDRORUM  (Vieill).     75. 
Cedar  Waxwing. 

Synonyms:     Bombycilla  carolinensis,  B.  cedrorum. 

Cherry  Bird,  Cedar  Bird,  Carolina  Waxwing,  Southern  Wax- 
wing,  Little  Waxwing,  Carolina  Chatterer,  Spider-bird. 
Kirtland,   Ohio  Geol.   Surv.,   1838,   162. 

This  is  a  somewhat  irregular  species,  but  may  be  consid- 
ered a  common  resident  over  the  entire  state.  However,  i-t 
is  sometimes  scarce  or  wholly  wanting  from  some  localities 
and  abundant  at  others  during  the  same  time.  It  is  gener- 
ally seen  in  flocks  even  during  the  nesting  season. 

Its  food  consists  of  13  per  cent,  animal  and  87  vegetable 
matter.  A  few  snails  are  eaten,  but  the  bulk  of  the  animal 
matter  consists  of  beetles,  with  a  few  bark  and  plant  lice. 
The  vegetable  matter  is  87  per  cent,  wild  fruit  and  seeds  and 
only  13  per  cent,  cultivated  fruits,  with  the  probability  that 
a  large  part  of  the  raspberries  and  blackberries  are  also  wild 
fruit.  Early  cherries  are  scarcely  touched.  At  any  time 
the  Cherry-bird  prefers  mulberries  to  cherries.  A  single 
bearing  mulberry-tree  has  saved  a  whole  orchard  of  cherries. 
A  Cherry-bird  was  brought  to  me  which  had  killed  itself  by 
eating  too  many  ripe  mulberries.  Taken  the  year  through 
this  bird  is  far  more  useful  than  harmful  and  should  be  pro- 
tected. 

Family  LANIIOS.     Shrikes. 

The  name  "Butcher-bird''  was  applied  to  members  of  this 
family  because  of  their  habit  of  impaling  their  victims  upon 
thorns.  It  was  long  supposed  that  they  gloated  over  the 


166  BIRDS  OF  OHIO. 

struggles  and  sufferings  of  their  victims  like  veritable  bar- 
barians. That  this  is  a  libel  on  the  character  of  the  shrikes 
any  one  may  prove  by  studying  them  at  first  hand.  They 
are  pretty  fair  singers,  but  the  summer  form  is  seldom  heard 
singing  unless  one  happens  upon  the  performer  unobserved. 
The  Northern  Shrike  sings  from  his  tree-top  perch  in  the 
midst  of  a  snowstorm  in  midwinter.  All  shrikes  are  soli- 
tary birds  except  while  nesting  and  for  some  time  after  the 
young  have  left  the  nest. 

228.     (621.)     LANIUS  BOREALIS  Vieill.    72. 

Northern  Shrike. 
Synonyms:      Lanius   septentrionalis,   Collyrio   borealis,   Collurio 

borealis. 
Great   Northern    Shrike,     Butcher-bird,     Great   American 

Shrike,  Great  Butcher  Shrike. 
Kirtland,  Ohio  Geol.  Surv.,  1838,  163,  181. 

This  solitary  shrike  is  a  winter  resident  over  the  entire 
state,  but  it  is  irregular  south  and  rare  everywhere,  except 
occasionally  along  the  lake  front.  It  visits  towns  and  vil- 
lages during  extreme  weather  for  the  sake  of  the  hordes  "of 
English  Sparrows.  In  the  fields  and  woods  it  is  always  on 
the  lookout  for  field  mice  or  other  rodents,  and  unwary  spar- 
rows. 

The  food  of  this  bird  consists  of  birds  35  per  cent.,  insects 
40  per  cent.,  mice  25  per  cent.  Of  the  birds  many  are  En- 
glish Sparrows.  While  the  other  birds  are  useful  species  they 
constitute  less  than  25  per  cent,  of  the  whole  food.  It  seems 
clear,  therefore,  that,  contrary  to  his  reputation^  the  Butch- 
er-bird is  one  of  our  useful  winter  visitors  and  should  be 
encouraged  to  visit  the  settlements  where  English  Sparrows 
are  to  be  so  easily  found.  The  habit  of  impaling  its  victims 
on  thorns  has  grown  out  of  the  necessity  of  storing  food 
against  a  time  of  scarcity,  and  is  not  an  indication  of  the 
savage  or  barbarous  instincts  so  often  attributed  to  these 
;birds. 

The  Northern  Shrike  reaches  northern  Ohio  about  the 
first  of  October  and  the  southern  counties  a  week  later.  It 
sometimes  tarries  until  the  first  of  April  in  Lorain  county. 


PASSERES LANIID.E.  167 

229.     (622d.)     LANIUS   LUDOVICIANUS   MIGRANS  W.   Pal- 
mer.   73  and  73a. 

Migrant  Shrike. 

Synonyms:      Lanius    ludovicianus,   L.    1.    excubitorides. 
Loggerhead  Shrike,  White-rumped  Shrike. 

W.  Palmer,  Auk,  XV,  1898,  257. 

Awaiting  the  action  of  the  A.  O.  U.  committee  on  nom- 
enclature upon  the  proposed  subspecies  migrans,  there  seems 
nothing  left  one  but  to  accept  this  tentative  name  instead  of 
reverting  to  the  former  now  obsolete  names,  so  far  as  the 
shrikes  of  Ohio  are  concerned.  In  the  Oberlin  College  col- 
lection there  are  a  .few  more  specimens  referable  to  L.  ludo- 
vicianus  excubitorides  than  to  L.  ludovicianus,  with  two  or 
three  specimens  indeterminate.  With  such  a  condition  il- 
lustrated by  specimens  taken  within  a  few  miles  of  Oberlin, 
this  proposed  creation  of  a  new  subspecies  which  shall  erad- 
icate the  confusion  hitherto  so  apparent,  seems  desirable.  At 
any  rate  it  is  not  wise  to  return  to  the  old  classification. 
The  two  names  used  by  Dr.  Wheaton  will  therefore  refer 
to  this  new  subspecies.  It  is  clear  from  Dr.  Wheaton's  re- 
marks that  his  mind  was  not  at  rest  concerning  the  summer 
shrikes.  The  apparent  shifting  westward  of  the  excubito- 
rides form  noted  by  him,  and  by  Prof.  Ridgway  in  Illinois, 
was  not  satisfactorily  accounted  for. 

The  food  of  this  shrike  differs  from  that  of  the  Northern 
only  in  the  larger  percentage  of  insects  eaten  and  the  small- 
er percentage  of  birds.  While  feeding  its  young  many 
snakes  are  killed,  and  many  of  the  spiny  caterpillars.  Grass- 
hoppers are  eaten  in  quantities.  It  is  clear,  from  the  care- 
ful study  of  the  food  of  this  bird,  and  from  the  examination 
of  stomachs,  that  it  is  far  more  beneficial  than  injurious, 
and  should  be  protected  at  all  times. 

It  appears  certain  that  this  form  winters  as  far  north  as 
Columbus  in  small  numbers.  It  is  hardly  common  any- 
where in  the  state,  except  locally.  The  southeastern  coun- 
ties are  too  deeply  gashed  and  are  so  lacking  in  suitable 
nesting-places  that  it  is  practically  absent  from  that  region. 


168  BIRDS  OF  OHIO. 

This  shrike  reaches  northern  Ohio  about  the  middle  of 
March  and  returns  south  about  the  first  of  October. 

Family  VIREONID^E.     Vireos. 

Of  the  six  vireos  found  in  Ohio  four  remain  to  breed, 
and  one  of  the  four  is  found  only  in  the  southern  parts  of 
the  state.  These  birds  closely  resemble  the  warblers  in  hab- 
its and  carriage,  but  are  more  deliberate  in  their  movements, 
and  glean  from  leaves  rather  than  from  the  twigs  and  stems, 
but  they  must  sometimes  make  sallies  into  the  air  for  flying 
insects,  and  frequently  act  like  warblers.  They  usually  sing 
all  the  time  between  mouthfuls,  and  may  be  known  by  their 
songs  even  when  other  characteristics  fail.  For  the  most 
part  they  are  sober-colored,  one  species  having  a  yellow 
throat.  Their  colors  are  shades  of  gray  with  some  green 
and  yellow.  In  contrast  to  the  warblers,  they  are  not  patchy 
in  color. 

The  vireos  are  preeminently  leaf  gleaners,  but  they  some- 
times catch  flying  insects  after  the  manner  of  the  warblers. 
Their  food  is  therefore  more  largely  eggs  and  larvae  of  in- 
sects than  the  winged  forms.  It  is  just  possible  that  they 
may  take  a  little  ripe  fruit  in  its  season,  but  if  so,  in  too  small 
quantities  to  count. 

230.     (624.)     VIREO  OLIVACEUS  (Linn.).     66. 
Red-eyed  Vireo. 

Synonyms:      Vireosylvia   olivacea,   Muscicapa  olivacea. 

Red-eyed  Greenlet,  Red-eyed  Flycatcher,  Red-eye,  Preacher- 
bird. 
Kirtland,  Ohio  Geol.  Surv.,  1838,  163. 

This  vireo  is  almost  abundant  in  woods  throughout  the 
state.  Its  perpetual  phrased  song  is  likened  to  the  admoni- 
tions of  a  preacher,  and  has  given  it  the  name  of  "Preacher 
Bird."  Its  woven  pensile  nest  is  an  easy  mark  for  the  Cow- 
bird,  which  is  pretty  sure  to  deposit  one  or  more  of  its  par- 
asitic eggs  in  the  nest.  I  have  found  three  eggs  of  the  Cow- 
bird  and  but  two  of  the  rightful  owner  in  one  nest.  The 


PASSERES VIREONID^:.  169 

duped  vireo  seems  to  offer  no  protest  to  this  persistent  im- 
position. The  birds  are  not  confined  to  the  woods,  but  fre- 
quently nest  in  our  city  parks.  The  noise  of  traffic  may 
almost  completely  drown  the  cheerful  voice,  but  it  cannot 
stop  it. 

This  vireo  reaches  the  lake  shore  about  the  23d  of  April 
and  departs  about  the  25th  of  October. 

231.  (626.)     VIREO  PHILADELPHICUS  (Cass.).     67. 

Philadelphia  Vireo. 

Synonyms:     Vireosylvia  philadelphica. 

Brotherly  Love  Vireo,  Brotherly  Love  Greenlet. 
Baird,  P.  R.  R.  Report,  IX,  1858,  335. 

This  vireo  seems  to  be  irregular  as  a  migrant  in  Ohio.  I 
have  never  found  it  in  Lorain  county,  nor  elsewhere  in  the 
state.  If  it  were  even  fairly  common  it  could  hardly  have 
escaped  so  many  observers  entirely. 

Rev.  Mr.  Henninger  found  it  late  in  April  and  again  late 
in  September,  in  southern  Ohio. 

232.  (627.)     VIREO  GILVUS  (Vieill.).     68. 

Warbling  Vireo. 

Synonyms:     Vireosylvia  gilva,  Muscicapa  gilva. 

Warbling  Greenlet,  Warbling  Flycatcher. 
Kirtland,  Ohio  Geol.  Surv.,  1838,  163,  180. 

This  is  the  vireo  which  lives  in  the  shade  trees  and  parks 
all  summer.  It  is  almost  abundant  over  the  entire  state. 
The  peculiar  rolling  song  and  rasping  scolding  notes  must 
be  familiar  to  all.  They  may  be  heard  just  outside  your  door 
at  almost  any  time  from  May  to  August. 

This  vireo  seems  to  travel  with  the  Red-eyed  Vireo,  some- 
times arriving  a  day  or  two  earlier.  Southern  Ohio  dates 
of  arrival  range  from  April  19  to  May  9,  while  Lorain  coun- 
ty arrivals  range  from  April  28  to  May  1.  They  have  left  the 
lake  shore  by  September  15,  but  tarry  a  month  longer  in  the 
southern  counties. 


170  BIRDS  OF  OHIO. 

233.  (628.)     VIREO  FLAVIFRONS  Vieill.     69. 

Yellow-throated  Vireo. 

Synonyms:     Vireosylvia  flavifrons,  Lanivireo  flavifrons. 

Yellow-throated  Greenlet. 
Kirtland,  Ohio  Geol.  Surv.,  1838,  163. 

Most  people  are  not  acquainted  with  this  vireo,  probably 
because  it  prefers  the  taller  timber  and  is  seldom  seen  about 
human  habitations.  It  is  hardly  common  as  a  summer  res- 
ident except  in  certain  localities  where  tall  oak  timber  is 
plentiful.  Its  song  x:losely  resembles  the  song  of  the  Red- 
eyed,  but  may  be  readily  distinguished  after  careful  study 
of  both. 

This  species  arrives  during  late  April,  perhaps  a  little 
later  than  the  two  foregoing  species,  and  remains  until  Sep- 
tember. 

234.  (629.)     VIREO  SOLITARIUS.   (Wils.).     70. 

Blue-headed  Vireo. 

Synonyms:     Lanivireo  solitarus,  Muscicapa  solitaria. 

Solitary  Vireo,  Solitary  Greenlet,  Blue-headed  Greenlet. 
Wheaton,  Ohio  Agri.  Report,  1860,  365,  375. 

Like  the  Yellow-throated  Vireo,  this  is  little  known,  part- 
ly because  it  seldom  gets  out  of  the  woods,  and  partly  be- 
cause it  is  strictly  a  migrant  across  the  state.  Its  song  has 
a  fairly  close  resemblance  to  the  song  of  the  Red-eyed  Vireo, 
but  it  is  not  difficult  to  distinguish  after  a  little  study.  I 
have  found  the  Blue-headed  on  the  College  campus  and  in 
the  shade  trees  lining  our  streets. 

This  vireo  reaches  Lorain  county  the  first  week  in  May, 
usually  near  the  first ;  or  even  the  last  days  of  April,  is  fairly 
common  for  a  week,  and  passes  north  about  the  15th  of 
May.  It  returns  about  the  middle  of  September,  remaining 
but  a  short  time.  It  leaves  southern  Ohio  shortly  after  the 
middle  of  October.  A  better  acquaintance  with  this  bird 
will  undoubtedly  prove  it  to  be  not  uncommon  during  the 
migrations  across  the  state. 


PASSERES MNIOTILTHXE.  171 

235.     (631.)     VIREO  NOVEBORACENSIS  (Gmel.).     71. 
White-eyed  Vireo. 

Synonyms:     Muscicapa  noveboracensis. 

White-eyed    Greenlet,    Little    Green    Hangingbird,    Chickity- 
beaver,  Politician,  Hanging  Flycatcher,  Green  Flycatcher. 
Kirtland,  Ohio  Geol.  Surv.,  1838,  163. 

The  White-eyed  Vireo  is  distinctly  southern  in  its  distri- 
bution, in  Ohio.  It  is  a  'fairly  common  summer  resident  in 
the  southern  half  of  the  state,  ranging  at  least  to  the  south- 
ern border  of  Franklin  county,  but  Dr.  Wheaton  did  not 
find  it  at  all  at  Columbus,  nor  have  others  found  it  there  as 
more  than  a  casual  visitor.  In  the  eastern  half  of  the  state 
it  ranges  north  into  Cuyahoga  and  Ashtabula  counties,  be- 
ing fairly  common  at  Jefferson  all  summer.  There  is  no 
record  for  Lorain  county.  I  did  not  find  it  in  Medina  coun- 
ty, where  the  conditions  are  unusually  favorable,  nor  at 
either  the  Licking  or  Lewiston  reservoirs.  Dr.  Wheaton 
regarded  it  as  of  local  distribution  over  the  state.  If  that 
be  true  at  the  present  time  evidence  is  lacking. 

It  reaches  our  southern  border  early  in  May  and  retires 
southward  early  in  September. 

Family  MNIOTILTID^.    Wood  Warblers. 

The  species  of  this  family  found  in  Ohio  are  both  the  most 
numerous  and  the  most  interesting  of  birds.  Thirty-six 
species  are  regularly  found,  one  has  wandered  from  the  east, 
and  two  belong  to  the  Hypothetical  List  of  the  A.  O.  U.  He 
who  can  resist  the  temptations  to  get  into  the  woods  which 
"Warbler  Time"  brings  is  hopeless  from  an  ornithological 
standpoint!  Most  of  them  pass  through  the  state  twice 
each  year,  but  fully  fifteen  species  remain  to  breed  while 
three  others  occasionally  do.  Some  of  the  species  which 
nest  well  north  in  the  state  in  small  numbers  and  are  mi- 
grants elsewhere  must  be  regarded  as  rare  breeders,  the 
most  of  the  individuals  passing  well  north  to  breed. 

Most  members  of  this  group  are  insect  eaters,  but  most  of 
them  also  eat  fruit  and  berries  in  their  season,  some  of  them 
to  a  considerable  extent.  Some  are  gleaners  from  leaf  and 


172  BIRDS  OF  OHIO. 

branch,  some  feed  largely  upon  the  ground,  while  some 
catch  flying  insects  after  the  manner  of  the  true  Flycatchers. 
All  are  useful  birds  and  none  seem  to  be  at  all  injurious. 

236.  (636.)     MNIOTILTA  VARIA  (Linn.).    28. 

Black  and  White  Warbler. 

Synonyms:     Mniotilta    varia    borealis,    Sylvia    varia,    Motacilla 

varia. 

Black-and-white  Creeper,   Black  and  White   Creeping  War- 
bler. 
Kirtland,  Ohio  Geol.  Snrv.,  1838,  163,  182. 

Dr.  Wheaton  gives  this  warbler  as  a  "Common  summer 
resident."  It  is  so  reported  by  a  few  observers  well  scat- 
tered about  the  state,  but  is  regarded  by  most  as  common 
only  during  the  migrations.  My  studies  in  different  parts 
of  the  state  have  convinced  me  that  it  is  to  be  found  breed- 
ing in  suitable  places  over  the  entire  state,  but  is  common 
only  locally.  It  breeds  sparingly  about  Oberlin.  During 
the  summer  it  must  be  sought  in  the  deeper  high  woods. 
Its  creeping  habits  and  weak  song  make  it  an  inconspicuous 
bird  at  best,  and  in  the  deep  shadows  of  the  woods  it  may  be 
easily  overlooked. 

This  warbler  is  among  the  first  of  the  great  host  of  warb- 
lers which  pass  across  the  state — a  few  of  them  remaining  all 
summer — late  in  April  and  early  in  May.  It  appears  on  our 
southern  border  about  April  25th,  and  our  northern  border 
about  three  days  later.  In  Lorain  county  it  is  common  up 
to  the  middle  of  May  and  then  the  few  which  remain  to 
breed  retire  to  the  deeper  woods.  The  last  have  left  the 
county  by  the  25th  of  September. 

237.  (637.)     PROTONOTARIA  CITREA  (Bodd.).    29. 

Prothonotary  Warbler. 

Synonyms:     Motacilla  citrea. 

Golden  Swamp  Warbler,  Willow  Warbler,  Golden  Warbler. 
Wheaton,  Ohio  Agri.  Report,  1860,  363,  373. 

The  distribution  of  this  handsome  warbler  is  largely  de- 
termined by  the  special  conditions  favorable  to  its  breeding. 


PASSERES MNIOTILTID^:.  173 

Dr.  Wheaton  says  of  it :  "The  Prothonotary  Warbler  is 
only  known  in  this  state  as  a  summer  resident  in  western 
Ohio,  especially  in  the  vicinity  of  St.  Mary's  reservoir." 
I  have  found  it  fairly  common  at  Licking  reservoir,  in  all 
three  counties  in  which  that  reservoir  lies ;  but  it  .was  not 
found  at  Lewiston  reservoir  in  spite  of  the  fact  that  breed- 
ing places  seemed  plentiful.  In  "Birds  of  Indiana,"  page 
1022,  Mr.  Butler  mentions  a  Cleveland  record  for  this  spe- 
cies. I  have  been  unable  to  verify  this  record.  Mr.  Charles 
Dury  reports  its  presence  at  Cincinnati  and  St.  Mary's  res- 
ervoir, as  stated  above.  These  are  the  only  positive  state 
records.  It  is  likely  that  the  bird  occurs  in  other  suitable 
localities  in  the  state.  Its  local  distribution  is  well  illustrated 
by  the  finding  of  breeding  birds  in  eastern  Minnesota.  There 
seems  to  be  some  indirect  evidence  that  this  species  is  ex- 
tending its  range  northward  where  conditions  are  favorable. 
I  have  no  records  of  its  migrations,  but  it  must  reach 
Licking  reservoir  early  in  May,  for  during  the  last  week 
in  May  we  found  a  nest  which  was  the  second  for  that  pair 
of  birds,  the  first  having  been  robbed  two  weeks  previously. 

238.     (639).     HELMITHEROS  VERMIVORUS   (Gmel.).     30. 
Worm-eating  Warbler. 

Synonyms:     Helmintotherus  vermivorus,  Sylvia  vermivora,  Hel- 
inaia  vermivora,  Motacilla  vermivora,  Vermivora  penn- 
sylvanica. 
Worm-eating  Swamp  Warbler,  Worm-eater. 

Kirtland,  Ohio  Geol.  Surv.,  1838,  163,  182. 

Like  the  last  species,  this  one  is  among  those  of  more 
southern  distribution.  Dr.  Wheaton  regarded  it  as  rare  in 
summer.  It  now  seems  to  be  common  in  many  places  in  the 
southern  part  of  the  state,  and  ranges  well  north  in  the  east- 
ern half,  breeding  in  Cuyahoga  and  Ashtabula  counties. 
There  is  a  doubtful  record  for  Lorain  county.  Without 
doubt  this  species  is  extending  its  range  northward,  and 
further  study  by  trained  men  will  no  doubt  greatly  increase 
the  Ohio  records. 

The  Worm-eating  Warbler  reaches  Ohio  during  the  first 


174  BIRDS  OF  OHIO. 

week  in  May  and  departs  southward  about  the  middle  of 
September. 

239.  (641.)     HELMINTHOPHILA  PINUS   (Linn.).     32. 

Blue- winged  Warbler. 

Synonyms:     Helminthophaga  pinus,  Sylvia  solitaria,  Vermivora 

solitaria,  Certhia  pinus. 

Blue-winged  Yellow  Warbler,  Blue-winged  Swamp  Warbler. 
Kirtland,  Ohio  Geol.  Surv.,  1838,  163,  182. 

This  warbler  is  tolerably  common  during  the  migrations, 
but  is  less  numerous  as  a  breeding  bird  over  the  entire  state. 
Given  a  wet  woods  with  a  fringe  of  brush  and  the  Blue-wing 
is  pretty  certain  to  be  present.  One  hearing  of  the  curious 
song  is  enough  to  fix  it  in  mind.  While  the  nest  is  placed 
near  the  ground  in  the  grass  or  rarely  low  bushes,  the  birds 
must  usually  be  looked  for  in  the  tree-tops,  or  at  least  in  the 
upper  branches  of  the  taller  trees.  If  the  bird  be  near  the 
ground  it  is  pretty  certain  proof  of  the  presence  of  the  nest. 

This  warbler  reaches  northern  Ohio  during  the  last  week 
in  April,  and  remains  until  the  middle  of  September. 

240.  (642).  HELMINTHOPHILA  CHRYSOPTERA   (Linn.).  33. 

Golden-winged  Warbler. 

Synonyms:     Helminthophaga    chrysoptera,    Sylvia    chrysoptera, 

Vermivora  chrysoptera,  Motacilla  chrysoptera. 
Blue  Golden-winged  Warbler,  Golden-winged  Swamp  Warb- 
ler. 
Kirtland,  Ohio  Geol.  Surv.,  1838,  163,  182. 

The  distribution  of  this  warbler  in  Ohio  seems  to  be  al- 
most identical  with  that  of  the  Worm-eating  Warbler,  with 
the  exception  that  it  seems  to  be  a  little  more  northern.  It 
has  been  found  in  Lorain  county  a  half-dozen  times,  but 
is  not  known  to  have  bred  there.  It  is  reported  as  breeding 
in  Cuyahoga  and  Ashtabula  counties,  and  is  common  lo- 
cally in  the  southern  half  of  the  state.  It  also  nests  on  the 
ground,  but  is  not  so  fond  of  the  tree-tops  for  a  perch. 
It  is  unwary,  permitting  a  near  approach.  Its  lazily  uttered 
zee  zee  zee  zee  is  unlike  the  song  of  any  other  bird,  but 
might  be  mistaken  for  an  insect. 


PASSERES — MNIOTILTID^E.  175 

This  Warbler  reaches  Lorain  county  during  the  first  week 
in  May.  I  have  no  autumn  records  of  the  return  south.  It 
probably  tarries  until  the  first  of  September  at  least. 

241.  (645.)   HELMINTHOPHILA  RUBRICAPILLA   (Wils.).  34. 

Nashville  Warbler. 

Synonyms:      Helminthophaga     ruficapilla,     Sylvia     rubricapilla, 

Vermivora   rubricapilla,   Sylvia  ruficapilla. 
Nashville  Swamp  Warbler,  Nashville  Worm-eater. 

Kirtland,  Ohio  Geol.  Surv.,  1838,  168,  182. 

The  Nashville  Warbler  is  a  common  migrant,  passing 
entirely  across  the  state  twice  each  year.  It  is  not  confined 
to  the  woods  but  is  just  as  common  in  the  parks  and  along 
the  tree-lined  streets,  and  in  the  door-yards  among  the  fruit 
and  ornamental  trees,  busily  engaged  in  cleaning  out  the  in- 
sect pests  from  bud  and  leaf. 

This  warbler  reaches  Lorain  county  about  the  first  of  May 
and  is  common  for  two  and  sometimes  three  weeks,  often 
tarrying  until  the  23d  of  May.  It  returns  in  force  early 
in  September  and  remains  about  four  weeks.  There  is  little 
doubt  that  this  is  a  late  date  for  the  return  of  this  and  many 
other  warblers,  but  the  records  show  no  earlier  dates. 

242.  (646.)     HELMINTHOPHILA  CELATA  (Say).    35.       . 

Orange-crowned  Warbler. 

Synonyms:     Helminthophaga  celata,  Sylvia  celata. 
Wheaton,  Ohio  Agri.  Report,  1860  363,  373. 

Dr.  Wheaton's  statement  that  this  is  a  "Rare  spring  and 
fall  migrant"  remains  true  to-day.  The  bird  is  little  known. 
I  have  found  it  but  a  half-dozen  times  at  Oberlin,  and  not 
more  than  one  bird  for  each  record.  Once  it  was  feeding 
in  an  orchard  just  out  of  the  village,  the  other  times  in  the 
woods  low  down  in  the  brush. 

My  dates  of  spring  migration  fall  within  the  first  week  of 
May.  I  have  no  autumn  records. 


176  BIRDS  OF  OHIO. 

243     (647.)     HELMINTHOPHILA   PEREGRINA    (Wils.).     36. 
Tennessee  Warbler. 

Synonyms:     Helminthophaga   peregrina,   Sylvia   peregrina,   Ver- 

mivora  peregrina. 
Tennessee  Swamp  Warbler. 
Kirtland,  Ohio  Geol.  Surv.,  1838,  163,  182. 

This  is  probably  the  most  numerous  warbler  of  the  shade 
trees  and  orchards  during  both  spring  and  autumn  migra- 
tions. It  passes  entirely  across  the  state;  none  remaining  to 
breed.  In  spring  it  literally  swarms  about  our  trees  and 
lawns,  but  is  unnoticed  by  the  majority  of  people,  because 
it  is  so  small  and  because  its  song  is  so  like  that  of  the  Chip- 
ping Sparrow,-  and  some  insects.  In  autumn  it  is  more  con- 
fined to  the  woods,  but  is  not  uncommon  in  orchards  and 
shade  trees.  It  is  one  of  pur  best  friends,  gleaning  every- 
where for  the  eggs,  larvse  or  the  perfect  insects  which  do  so 
great  damage  to  fruit.  Yet  I  have  known  of  fruit  growers 
who  made  war  upon  them  for  eating  off  the  buds !  They 
are  after  the  bug  that  eats  the  bud  or  the  fruit. 

The  Tennessee  Warbler  is  among  the  later  warblers  to  ar- 
rive, appearing  about  May  5,  and  remaining  two  weeks. 
It  passes  south  again  in  September,  leaving  the  state  during 
the  first  week  in  October, 

244.    (648a.)    COMPSOTHLYPIS  AMERICANA  USNE^:  Brewst. 
37  (part). 

Northern  Parula  Warbler. 

Synonyms:  Dendrceca  tigrina,  Perissoglossa  tigrina,  Sylvia 
americana,  Parus  americanus,  Compsothlypis  america- 
na  (part). 

Blue  Yellow-backed  Warbler,  Parula  Warbler. 
Kirtland,  Ohio  Geol.  Surv.,  1838,  163,  182. 

Judging  only  from  the  specimens  in  the  Ohio  State  Uni- 
versity and  Oberlin  College  museums,  six  in  all,  this  form  is 
pretty  clearly  a  regular  migrant  across  the  state  in  spring, 
during  the  first  two  weeks  of  May.  There  appear  to  be  no 
breeding  specimens  in  collections.  It  is  not  common  any- 
where, but  is  fairly  numerous  during  favorable  years  for 
the  spring  migrations  of  the  warblers. 


PASSERES MNIOTILTID^:.  177 

24:5.     (648b.)     COMPSOTHLYPIS     AMERICANA     RAMALIN^E. 
Ridgway.     37    (part). 
Western  Parula  Warbler. 

The  synonyms  and  reference  should  stand  as  in  the  pre- 
ceding form.  In  "Birds  of  North  and  Middle  America," 
Vol.  II,  486,  Prof.  Ridgway  gives  the  following  reference: 
Read,  Proc.  Ac.  Nat.  Sci.  Phila.,  vi.,  1853  (n.  Ohio). 
Mr.  H.  C.  Oberholser  also  informs  me  that  this  is  likely 
the  breeding  form  for  Ohio.  A  specimen  in  the  Ohio  State 
University  collection,  and  one  in  the  Oberlin  College  col- 
lection, both  taken  rather  late  for  the  migratory  movement, 
are  decidedly  small.  In  the  absence  of  contradictory  evi- 
dence it  seems  necessary  to  regard  this  form  as  the  Ohio 
breeding  Parula  Warbler.  It  is  little  known  in  the  breed- 
ing season,  having  been  noted  only  by  Dr.  Langdon  and  Mr. 
Dury  near  Cincinnati.  It  would  appear  to  be  a  little  later 
than  the  preceding  form  in  its  migrations. 

246.     (650.)     DENDROICA  TIGRINA  (Gmel.).    38. 
Cape  May  Warbler. 

Synonyms:     Dendrceca     tigrina,     Perissoglossa    tigrina,    Sylvia 
maritima,  Sylvicola  maritima,  Motacilli  tigrina. 

Kirtland,  Ohio  Geol.  Surv.,  1838,  163,  181. 

The  Lorain  county  records  for  this  warbler  number  less 
than  a  dozen,  all  in  the  first  week  of  May.  There  are  no 
reports  of  any  .greater  number  anywhere  in  the  state  in  the 
spring  migrations,  but  Rev.  Mr.  Henninger  notes  it  as  com- 
mon during  the  autumn  migrations  in  Scioto  county,  "es- 
pecially in  upland  beech  woods."  It  is  strictly  a  migrant 
in  the  state,  stopping  but  a  short  time  in  spring,  but  passing 
south  more  leisurely. 

It  reaches  southern  Ohio  late  in  April,  and  northern -Ohio 
a  week  later;  returning  about  the  middle  of  September,  and 
may  be  found  in  Scioto  countv  as  late  as  October  3.  •  ' 


178  BIRDS  OF  OHIO. 

(*•• 

247.  (652.)     DENDROICA  ^ESTIVA   (GmeL).     39. 

Yellow  Warbler. 

Synonyms:       Dendrceca      aestiva,      Sylvicola      sestiva,      Sylvia 

aestiva,  Motacilla  aestiva. 

Summer  Warbler,  Summer  Yellowbird,  Blue-eyed  Yellow 
Warbler,  Golden  Warbler,  Yellow-bird,  Yellow-poll  Warbler, 
Wild  Canary. 

Kirtland,  Ohio  Geol.  Surv.,  1838,  163,  182. 

This  well-known  warbler  is  our  commonest  summer  warb- 
ler in  all  parts  of  the  state.  It  has  the  capacity  of  accommo- 
dating itself  to  almost  any  conditions,  seeming  as  much  at 
home  in  the  orchard  or  ornamental  trees  as  in  its  primitive 
briar  tangle  in  some  drying  swamp.  Its  nest  may  be  within 
a  few  feet  of  the  ground  or  in  the  tree-tops  if  necessary.  As 
an  inhabitant  of  the  orchards  tt  is  kept  busy  with  the  insect 
pests  which  make  the  life  of  the  fruit-grower  miserable. 
Here  it  is  a  great  aid  in  keeping  in  check  fruit  destroying 
insects. 

The  Yellow  Warbler  is  among  the  earlier  warblers  to  ap- 
pear in  spring,  reaching  our  southern  border  before  the  20th 
of  April,  or  even  during  the  first  week  of  April,  in  favorable 
years.  It  is  usually  found  at  Oberlin  about  the  22 d  of 
April,  often  earlier.  The  departure  in  the  autumn  is  not  so 
easy  to  trace.  I  have  found  them  in  Oberlin  as  late  as  Sep- 
tember 7.  It  is  likely  that  individuals  remain  much  later 
but  the  majority  have  gone  before  the  first  of  September. 

248.  (654.)     DENDROICA  C^ERULESCENS  (GmeL).     40. 

Black-throated  Blue  Warbler. 

Synonyms:     Dendroeca  caerulescens,  Sylvia  canadensis,  Sylvico- 
la canadensis,  Dendroica  canadensis,  Motacilla  canaden- 
sis, M.  caerulescens. 

Canadian  Warbler,  Pine  Swamp  Warbler. 
Kirtland,  Ohio  Geol.  Surv.,  1838,  163,  182. 

This  is  one  of  the  fairly  common  migrants,  passing  en- 
tirely across  the  state  twice  each  year.  It  is  as  often  seen 
in  parks  and  along  shaded  streets  in  spring  as  in  the  woods, 
but  seems  to  avoid  human  habitations  on  its  return  journey. 
It  is  an  inhabitant  of  the  lower  stories  of  the  woods,  even 


PASSERES MNIOTILTIDyE.  179 

feeding  upon  the  ground,  when  the  white  wing-spot  is  con- 
spicuous against  the  blue-black  wing. 

It  reaches  southern  Ohio  as  early  as  the  15th  of  April  in 
favorable  years,  but  seldom  appears  at  Oberlin  before  the 
first  of  May.  It  remains  about  'two  weeks,  and  returns 
again  early  in  September  or  even  late  in  August,  to  remain 
until  about  the  first  of  October. 

249.     (655.)     DENDROICA  CORONATA  (Linn.).    41. 
Myrtle  Warbler. 

Synonyms:     Dendrceca  coronata,  Sylvia  coronata,  Sylvicola  cor- 

onata,  Motacilla  coronata. 

Yellow-rumped    Warbler,    Yellow-crowned   Warbler,    Yellow- 
rump,  Myrtlebird,  Yellow-rumped  Wood  Warbler. 

Kirtland,  Ohio  Geol.  Surv.,  1838,  163,  181. 

This  is  an  irregular  warbler,  sometimes  being  abundant 
and  again  hardly  even  common.  It  is  the  earliest  to  appear 
in  spring  and  the  latest  to  depart  southward  in  autumn.  It 
does  not  breed  in  the  state  as  far  as  known.  In  its  north- 
ward movement  it  is  well  distributed  in  the  woods  and 
parks,  but  in  its  southward  journey  it  prefers  to  travel  in 
the  more  open  country,  often  with  the  Chipping  Sparrow. 
At  such  times  it  may  be  seen  in  the  fields  gleaning  among 
the  weeds  like  a  sparrow,  or  searching  for  insects  in  weed 
stems.  It  derives  its  name  from  its  fondness  for  the  berries 
of  the  myrtle  (Myrica  cerifera). 

During  the  spring  passage  of  this  species  the  insect  food 
is  greatly  in  the  preponderance,  although  even  then  myrtle 
berries  are  eaten  when  they  can  be  found,  but  during  the 
autumn  passage  southward,  when  the  fruit  of  the  myrtle  is 
abundant,  it  has  been  determined  that  fully  62  per  cent,  of  the 
food  is  the  myrtle  berries.  It  seems  remarkable  that  a  bird 
supposed  to  be  an  insect  eater  should  feed  so  largely  upon 
this  particular  fruit.  The  myrtle  berries  are  good  for  noth- 
ing, while  the  insects  eaten  are  injurious.  It  is  clear  that 
this  warbler  deserves  protection  equally  with  the  other  warb- 
lers. 

The  Myrtle  Warbler  appears  in  Lorain  county  about  the 


180  BIRDS   OF  OHIO. 

middle  of  April,  depending  on  the  weather  at  that  time,  and 
tarries  until  the  middle  of  May,  or  later  sometimes.  It  re- 
turns late  in  September  and  is  fairly  common  until  the  20th 
of  October,  scattering  individuals  remaining  into  the  first 
week  of  November. 

250.  (657.)     DENDROICA  MACULOSA  (Gmel.).    42. 

Magnolia  Warbler. 

Synonyms:     Dendrceca  maculosa,  Sylvia  magnolia,  S.  maculosa, 

Sylvicola  maculosa,  Motacilla  maculosa. 
Black  and  Yellow  Warbler. 
Wilson,  Am.  Orn.,  Ill,  1811,  63. 

Dr.  Wheaton  says  of  this  species,  "Abundant  and  regular 
spring  and  fall  migrant  in  middle  Ohio,  summer  resident 
in  small  numbers  in  north-eastern  Ohio."  At  the  present 
time  it  is  generally  regarded  as  not  common  as  a  migrant, 
except  occasionally,  when  it  becomes  common.  I  find  no 
evidence  that  this  warbler  now  breeds  within  the  state. 
While  few  of  us  find  the  first  warblers  on  their  return  in 
late  July  or  early  August,  it  is  well  known  that  they  migrate 
as  early  as  that.  Middle  of  the  summer  specimens  do  not, 
therefore,  indicate  that  the  birds  have  bred  in  the  vicinity. 
Late  June  records  would  more  likely  indicate  breeding  birds. 

The  Magnolia  Warbler  reaches  northern  Ohio  early  in 
May,  and  the  last  has  passed  north  about  May  21.  It  re- 
turns late  in  July  or  early  in  August,  judging  from  the 
records,  and  remains  until  about  September  20. 

251.  (658.)     DENDROICA  RARA    Wils.       43. 

Cerulean  Warbler. 

Synonyms:     Dendroaca  cserulea,  Sylvia  azurea,  S.  rara,  Dendroi- 

ca  caerulea. 

Azure  Warbler,  Blue  Warbler. 
Kirtland,  Ohio  Geol.  Surv.,  1838,  163,  182. 

Dr.  Wheaton's  statement,  "Abundant  summer  resident," 
no  longer  applies  to  this  woods-haunting  warbler.  It  is  uni- 
versally reported  as  not  common  during  the  summer.  It 
would  be  hard  to  assign  a  reason  for  this  decrease  in  num- 


PASSERES MNIOTILTIDJE.  181 

bers,  since  the  places  where  the  bird  now  nests  are  numer- 
ous enough  for  its  purposes.  True,  it  does  not  go  out  of  the 
taller  woods  to  breed,  but  it  seems  to  find  woods  enough 
suitable  for  breeding  places.  It  may  be,  however,  that  dur- 
ing the  earlier  days  it  was  confined  to  the  deeper  woods  and 
the  rapid  disappearance  of  them  has  driven  many  to  other 
regions.  In  Lorain  county  it  is  to  be  found  in  every  con- 
siderable woods,  but  is  only  common  here. 

The  Cerulean  Warbler  arrives  with  the  warbler  host, 
about  the  first  of  May  in  northern  Ohio,  and  is  fairly  com- 
mon for  two  weeks.  The  departure  northward  of  a  major- 
ity of  the  individuals  leaves  the  state  thinly  settled  with 
Ceruleans.  It  passes  south  during  the  last  week  of  Septem- 
ber. 

252.     (GoC.)     DENDROICA  PENSYLVANICA  (Linn.).     44. 
Chestnut-  sided  Warbler. 

Synonyms:      Dendroeca     pennsylvanica,      Sylvia     icterocephala, 
Sylvicola  icterocephala,  Motacilla  pennsylvanica,  M.  ic- 
terocephala. 
Quebec  Warbler,  Yellow-crowned  Warbler. 

Kirtland,  Ohio  Geol.  Surv.,  1838,  163,  181. 

Of  all  the  warbler  host  this  is  to  me  the  most  interesting, 
in  its  parti-colored  dress  and  confiding  ways.  The  day  that 
brings  them  is  the  brightest  day  of  the  season.  In  their 
northward  movement  they  are  not  particular  about  the  places 
where  they  feed,  provided  the  insects  are  numerous  and  the 
trees  are  not  too  far  apart.  Every  year  we  see  numbers  of 
them  on  the  College  Campus.  I  have  seen  them  in  the  door- 
yard,  in  the  apple-trees,  and  in  the  deep  woods  among  the 
highest  branches.  It  is  common  only  locally,  apparently. 
Dr.  Wheaton  gives  it  as  a  summer  resident  in  the  north-east- 
ern parts  of  the  state.  It  is  not  unlikely  that  it  still  breeds 
in  the  northern  part  of  the  state,  but  if  so  it  has  not  been  so 
reported  to  me.  None  have  been  found  in  summer  in  Lorain 
county. 

This  is  one  of  the  warbler  host  which  reaches  Oberlin 
about  the  first  of  May,  remaining  about  two  weeks  and  then 


182  BIRDS   OF   OHIO. 

passing  north.     It  returns  early  in  September  and  remains 
until  the  last  week  of  the  month. 

253.  (660.)     DENDROICA  CASTANEA  (Wils.).     45. 

Bay-breasted  Warbler. 

Synonyms:     Dendrceca  castanea,  Sylvia  castanea,  Sylvicola  cas- 

tanea. 
Bay-breast. 
Kirtland,  Ohio  Geol.  Surv.,  1838,  163,  181. 

Apparently  this  warbler  is  not  well  enough  known  to 
make  any  statements  of  its  spring  migrations  reliable.  In 
Lorain  county  it  is  fairly  common  every  spring,  and  usually 
more  numerous  in  the  autumn.  That  seems  to  be  the  gen- 
eral verdict,  except  that  in  many  places  the  species  is  not 
at  all  common.  The  whole  warbler  group  is  perhaps  less 
known  by  the  average  bird  student  than  any  other.  The 
reason  for  this  lack  of  acquaintance  is  not/easy  to  explain, 
because  the  usually  bright  patchy  coloring  of  these  birds 
makes  them  somewhat  conspicuous.  Their  small  size  and 
arboreal  habits,  and  the  difficulty  of  detecting  them  among 
the  foliage,  doutbless  contribute  largely  to  the  difficulties. 

This  is  among  the  later  arrivals  in  spring,  not  appearing 
in  Lorain  county  before  May  5,  generally,  and  has  gone 
northward  by  the  23d.  In  its  southward  migrations  it 
reaches  Ohio  about  the  middle  of  August,  and  tarries  in  the 
southern  counties  until  the  middle  of  October. 

254.  (661.)     DENDROICA  STRIATA  (Forst.).    46. 

Black-poll  Warbler. 

Synonyms:     Dendrceca  striata,  Sylvia  striata,  Sylvicola  striata, 

Muscicapa  striata. 
Black-poll. 
Kirtland,  Ohio  Geol.  Surv.,  1838,  163,  182. 

This  warbler  arrives  even  a  little  later  in  spring  than  the 
Bay-breast,  and  is  frequently  associated  with  it.  Judging 
from  the  reports  it  is  a  little  more  numerous  in  spring  and 
fully  so  in  the  autumn.  Fall  specimens  of  these  two  warb- 
lers are  so  nearly  alike  that  one  not  well  acquainted  with 


PASSERES MNIOTILTHXE.  183 

them  will  probably  not  be  able  to  distinguish  between  them 
in  life.  A  good  pair  of  field  glasses,  such  as  the  8-power 
prism  glasses,  usually  makes  their  identification  possible 
at  a  range  of  twenty-five  yards.  But  under  any  circum- 
stances close  scrutiny  is  necessary  t6  detect  the  tint  of  cream- 
buff  on  the  underparts  of  the  Bay-breast  and  the  distinctly 
yellow  tint  of  the  same  parts  of  Black-poll.  Both,  species 
are  wood  birds,  but  they  also  feed  in  wooded  parks  within 
the  city  limits,  at  times.  In  their  southward  migrations 
they  are  partial  to  the  hillsides  bordering  streams  where 
the  trees  are  not  so  tall. 

The  Black-poll  does  not  reach  Oberlin  until  after  May 
10,  and  remains  but  a  week  or  ten  days.  It  returns  during 
the  last  half  of  August  and  does  not  leave  our  southern  bor- 
der before  the  10th  of  October. 

255.     (662.)     DENDROICA  BLACKBURNLE    (Gmel.).     47. 
Blackburnian  Warbler. 

Synonyms:     Dendrceca  blackburniae,  Sylvia  blackburniae,  Sylvi- 

cola  blackburnise,  Motacilla  blackburniae. 
Hemlock  Warbler,  Orange-throated  Warbler. 
Kirtland,  Ohio  Geol.  Surv.,  1838,  163,  181. 

Dr.  Wheaton  regarded  this  beautiful  warbler  as  an 
abundant  migrant.  It  appears  to  have  decreased  in  numbers 
until  it  is  only  common  in  most  parts  of  the  state,  and  un- 
common in  others.  At  Oberlin  it  is  usually  common  during 
both  migration  periods.  It  is  a  bird  of  the  tree-tops,  sel- 
dom descending  below  the  middle  story  of  the  woods,  unless 
the  weather  be  inclement.  It  is  one  of  the  few  birds  which 
attract  the  attention  of  the  casual  passer  whose  eyes  are 
ever  raised  above  the  ground.  Its  brilliant  orange  throat 
gleams  like  a  sunbeam  amid  the  foliage. 

This  winged  Prometheus  comes  with  the  opening  buds 
near  May-day,  usually  after  rather  than  before,  and  remains 
until  the  foliage  hides  him.  During  the  first  two  weeks  only 
males  in  brilliant  dress  may  be  found,  but  during  the  last 
week  these  have  made  way  for  the  host  of  plainer  colored 
females.  The  last  are  seen  about  May  22,  The  return 


184  BIRDS    OF    OHIO. 

may  be  as  early  as  the  middle  of  August,  the  last  passing 
south  about  September  25. 

256.  (663a.)     DENDROICA  DOMINICA  ALBILORA  Ridgw.  48. 

Sycamore  Warbler. 

Synonyms:      Dendrceca  dominica  var.   albilora,   Sylvia   pensilis, 

Sylvicola  pensilis,  Dendroica  superciliosa,  D.  dominica. 

White-browed      Yellow-throated      Warbler,      White-cheeked 

Warbler. 

Kirtland,  Am.  Journal  Sci.  &  Arts,  XL,  1841,  21.     The  first  refer- 
ence for  the  subspecific  name  as  it  now  stands  should  be 
Ridgway,  Am.  Nat.,  VII,  1873,  606. 

This  species  appears  to  breed  sparingly  across  the  state, 
but  is  known  by  few  observers.  I  have  never  seen  it.  Dr. 
Wheaton  states  that  it  is  the  earliest  of  all  the  warblers  in 
spring,  even  preceding  the  Myrtle.  If  it  has  passed  through 
Lorain  county  it  has  entirely  eluded  careful  search  for  a 
half-dozen  years.  It  certainly  does  not  breed  in  the  western 
half  of  the  county  or  it  would  have  been  found  at  some 
time.  It  has  actually  been  found  breeding  at  Cleveland,  Mt. 
Vernon,  Wauseon,  and  Cincinnati.  More  careful  search 
for  this  early  warbler  should  reveal  its  presence  in  many 
parts  of  the  state  where  it  is  not  now  known  even  as  a  mi- 
grant. 

Reliable  migration  dates  are  wanting,  but  it  appears  that 
the  birds  sho.uld  be  looked  for  early  in  April,  and  that  some 
remain  in  the  southern  counties  well  into  October.  Syca- 
more groves  appear  to  be  the  favorite  places  for  these 
birds. 

257.  (667.)     DENDROICA  VIRENS     (Gmel.).     49. 

Black-throated    Green   Warbler. 

Synonyms:      Dendroeca   virens,    Sylvia   virens,    Sylvicola  virens, 

Motacilla  virens. 
Kirtland,  Ohio  Geol.  Surv.,  1838,  163,  181. 

Unlike  the  two  following  species,  this  one  is  among  our 
commonest  migrant  warblers.  Dr.  Wheaton 's  designation 
of  "Abundant  spring  and  fall  migrant,"  still  applies.  It  is 
common  in  the  woods,  but  seems  to  prefer  the  lawns,  parks, 


PASSERES MNIOTILTID^:.  185 

and  shaded  streets.  At  almost  any  hour  of  the  day,  during 
the  first  two  weeks  of  May,  several  may  be  heard  singing 
about  the  library  building  on  the  Oberlin  College  campus. 
It  is  no  less  numerous  anywhere  else  in  the  state,  judging 
from  the  reports. 

In  the  spring  migrations  it  reaches  southern  Ohio  about 
April  25  and  the  lake  shore  about  two  days  later;  passing 
north  about  May  20,  but  often  remaining  several  days 
longer,  singing  all  the  time.  The  first  return  during  the 
latter  part  of  August  and  tarry  into  the  first  week  of  Oc- 
tober. It  is  just  possible  that  a  few  pairs  remain  to  breed 
in  the  northern  counties. 

258.     (670.)     DENDROICA  KIRTLANDI    Baird.     50. 

Kirtland  Warbler. 

Synonyms:     Dendrceca  kirtlandi,  Sylvicola  kirtlandi. 
Baird,  Ann.  Lye.  N.  Y,  V.  1852,  217. 

Our  state  enjoys  the  honor  of  furnishing  the  type  speci- 
men of  this  rare  and  little  known  species,  and  to  Charles 
Pease  belongs  the  coveted  honor  of  securing  that  specimen. 
The  state  records  should  be  brought  down  to  date.  The 
name  of  the  collector,  place  and  date  are  given. 

Charles  Pease,  near  Cleveland,  May  13,  1851  (type). 

R.  K.  Wins  low,  near  Cleveland,  June  (May?),  1860. 

Charles  Dury,  Cincinnati,  first  week  in  May,  1872. 

W.  and  J.  Hall,  Rockport  (Cuyahoga   county),  May,  1878. 

H.  E.  Chubb,  Cleveland,  May  4,  1880. 

H.  E.  Chubb,  Cleveland,  May  12,  1880. 

L.  S.  Keyser,  Springfield  (?),  1891. 

Lynds  Jones,  Oberlin,  May  11,  1900. 

Lynds  Jones  and  Wr.  L.  Dawson,  near  Ironton,  August 
28,  1902  (two). 

No  other  state  can  boast  so  many  specimens,  but  Mich- 
igan is  fast  approaching  us  in  numbers.  Better  acquaintance 
with  the  species  and  greater  activity  in  field  work  will  prob- 
ably prove  this  supposably  rare  warbler  not  "The  rarest  of 
all  the  warblers." 


186  BIRDS  OF  OHIO. 

259.     (671.)     DENDROICA  VIGORSII    (Aud.).     51. 
Pine   Warbler. 

Synonyms:     Dendrceca  pinus,  Sylvia  pinus. 
Pine-creeping  Warbler,  "Vigor's  Vireo." 
Wheaton,  Ohio  Agri.  Report,  1860,  364. 

This  is  another  of  the  almost  ornithological  mysteries  to 
the  writer.  I  have  found  just  one  specimen  in  Lorain 
county,  and  that  one  an  early  migrant.  It  is  reported  as  a 
rare  migrant  by  most  persons,  but  is  reported  on  good  au- 
thority as  breeding  in  the  southern  part  of  the  state.  Dr. 
Wheaton  did  not  know  of  any  record  of  its  breeding.  Be- 
yond doubt  it  should  be  one  of  the  breeding  warblers  of  the 
state.  It  needs  careful  looking  after  by  competent  field 
observers  everywhere. 

Migration  dates  are  meager,  but  they  indicate  that  this 
warbler  makes  its  appearance  late  in  April,  and  departs 
about  October  10  from  the  southern  counties. 

260.     (672.)     DENDROICA  PALMARUM    (Gmel.).     52. 
.     Palm  Warbler. 

Synonyms:      Dendrceca  palmarum  var.   palmarum,   Sylvia   pete- 
chia,  Sylvicola  ruficapilla,  Motacilla  palmarum. 
Red-poll  Warbler,  Red-poll. 

Kirtland,  Ohio  Geol.  Surv.,  1838,  163. 

The  general  verdict  is  that  this  warbler  is  not  common  as 
a  migrant.  In  some  regions  it  seems  to  be  fairly  common, 
and  probably  is  sometimes  so  in  most  localities.  It  is  a  bird 
of  the  underbrush,  mostly,  and  will  not  often  be  seen  with 
the  other  warblers.  It  seems  to  be  fond  of  feeding  about 
and  in  old  brush-piles  in  spring,  and  wanders  along  railroad 
tracks  and  fence  rows  during  its  southward  migration. 

The  Palm  Warbler  reaches  the  state  about  May  22  and 
remains  two  weeks  or  more  if  conditions  are  favorable.  It 
returns  during  the  first  week  of  September  and  remains 
about  a  month. 


PASSERES MNIOTILTHXE.  187 

261.     (673.)     DENDROICA  DISCOLOR  (Vieill.).     53. 
Prairie  Warbler. 

Snyonyms:      Dendroeca   discolor,   Sylvicola   discolor,   Sylvia  dis- 
color. 

Red-backed  Warbler,  Parti-colored  Warbler,  Pasture  Warb- 
ler, Wildwood  Warbler. 
Audubon,  B.  Am.,  II,  1841,  68. 

This  interesting  little  warbler  is  little  known  by  Ohio  or- 
nithologists, who  regard  it  as  a  rare  migrant.  There  are 
two  Lorain  county  records  of  single  specimens  which  did 
not  remain  to  breed.  Dr.  Wheaton  states  that  it  breeds  in 
northern  Ohio  but  is  migratory  in  the  southern  half.  It 
should  be  found  breeding  wherever  it  is  found  in  the  state, 
but  its  rarity  makes  any  records  notable.  Rev.  Mr.  Hen- 
ninger  regarded  the  specimen  taken  in  Scioto  county  on  Oc- 
tober 8,  1894,  as  accidental.  It  will  be  found  in  brushy 
pastures  and  shrubby  clearings,  not  in  the  woods.  .  It  is  usu- 
ally so  confiding  that  a  near  approach  is  easy.  Its  song  will 
not  fail  to  arrest  the  attention  of  any  one  who  has  an  ear 
for  strange  sounds.  This  is  a  warbler  which  all  should  be 
watchful  for  during  the  early  days  of  .May. 

Migration  dates  are  almost  entirely  lacking,  but  it  is  likely 
that  records  will  fall  within  the  first  five  days  of  May,  for 
the  first  appearance  in  spring,  and  somewhere  near  the  first 
of  October  for  the  departure  in  autumn  from  the  southern 
counties. 

262.     (674.)     SEIURUS  AUROCAPILLUS  (Linn.).     54. 
Oven-bird. 

Synonyms:      Siurus   auricapillus,   Sylvia   aurocapillus,   Motacilla 

aurocapillus,  Turdus  aurocapillus. 

Golden-crowned    Thrush,    Accentor,    Golden-crowned    Accen- 
tor,   Golden-crowned    Wag-tail    Warbler,    Wagtail,    Land 
Kickup. 
Kirtland,  Ohio  Geol.  Surv.,  1838,  163. 

The  Oven-bird  is  a  common  summer  resident  over  the  en- 
tire state,  and  may  be  abundant  in  suitable  localities.  It 
must  have  dark  woods,  preferably  damp,  but  not  swampj. 
In  hilly  regions  it  frequently  nests  well  up  on  the  hillside. 


188  BIRDS  OF  OHIO. 

Its  oven-shaped  nest  is  not  readily  seen  among  the  dead 
leaves,  of  which  the  exterior  is  made.  The  crescendo  chant  is 
one  of  the  characteristics  of  some  woods.  The  bird's  dress  so 
hamonizes  with  the  environment  that  the  chant  may  well 
be  considered  a  spirit  chant  coming  from  everywhere  and 
nowhere.  The  birds  seldom  mount  high  in  the  trees,  but 
remain  near  the  ground,  walking  about  as  any  civilized  bird 
should. 

The  Oven-bird  reaches  Oberlin  near  the  24th  of  April, 
sings  until  July  10,  rarely  later,  and  leaves  us  for  the  south 
during  the  last  week  of  September,  sometimes  later. 

263.     (675.)     SEIURUS  NOVEBORACENSIS   (Gmel.).     55. 
Water-Thrush. 

Synonyms:     Siurus  naevius,  Sylvia  noveboracensis,  Turdus  nove- 
boracensis,  Motacilla   nsevia,   M.   noveboracensis. 
Water  Wagtail,   Water  Thrush,   Small-billed  Water-Thrush, 
Bessy    Kickup,    River    Pink,    Aquatic    Accentor,    New    York 
Aquatic  Thrush. 

Kirtland,  Ohio,  Geol.  Surv.,  1838,  163,  181   (part). 

This  warbler  is  hardly  common  in  most  sections  of  the 
state.  It  is  sometimes  almost  so  at  Oberlin,  for  a  few  days 
in  spring.  Like  the  other  members  of  this  genus  it  is  a 
lover  of  damp  places,  preferring  those  that  are  somewhat 
swampy,  while  with  us.  I  have  never  seen  it  higher  up  in 
the  trees  than  ten  feet,  and  then  only  when  it  was  greatly 
disturbed.  Its  wild  ringing  song  is  given  from  a  low  perch 
or  from  the  ground.  When  being  pursued  the  bird  has  a 
habit  of  darting  off  and  returning  behind  the  pursuer  or 
silently  running  ahead  several  rods  and  flitting  close  to  the 
ground  to  appear  far  at  one  side.  The  quest  is  a  nerve- 
wearing  one,  but  if  once  in  a  dozen  times  you  see  the  bird 
a  moment  before  he  glides  away  that  is  reward  enough.  You 
don't  wish  to  have  all  birds  perch  on  your  nose ! 

The  Water-Thrush  reaches  Oberlin  about  the  3d  of  May 
and  passes  north  with  trie  warbler  host  about  May  22.  It 
returns  during  the  early  days  of  September  and  remains  un- 
til the  1st  of  October. 


PASSERES— MNIOTILTIDyE.  189 

264.     (676.)     SEIURUS  MOTACILLA  (Vieill.).    56. 
Louisiana  Water-Thrush. 

Synonyms:       Siurus    motacilla,    Sylvia    noveboracensis,    Turdus 

noveboracensis,    Seirus    ludovicianus,    Turdus   motacilla. 

Large-billed    Water-Thrush,    Large-billed    Accentor,    Water 

Wagtail,  Large-billed  Wagtail  Warbler. 
Kirtland,  Ohio  Geol.  Surv.,  1838,  163,  181  (part). 

This  is  really  the  earliest  of  all  the  warbler  group,  but 
does  not  get  the  credit  it  deserves  because  its  name  is  not 
Vv-arbler.  I  have  found  it  at  Oberlin  the  last  of  March.  It 
is  only  locally  common  as  a  summer  resident  in  the  state; 
in  most  places  it  is  not  common,  but  can  hardly  be  consider- 
ed rare.  In  Lorain  county  it  is  pretty  strictly  confined  to 
the  deep  stream  gorges  or  to  the  hills  and  banks  at  the  lake 
shore.  Somewhere  in  every  stream  gorge  a  pair  or  more 
may  be  found  during  the  summer.  Of  course  the  gorges 
must  be  wooded,  and  with  a  stream  flowing  at  the  bottom. 
This  species  prefers  to  remain  on  the  ground,  seldom  perch- 
ing in  a  tree  unless  disturbed  about  its  nest  or  young.  Its 
wild  song  echoes  and  reechoes  in  the  steep  walled  gorge,  re- 
calling the  untamed  spirit  of  the  Red  man  whose  hunting 
ground  this  once  was. 

The  average  dates  of  arrival  for  this  species  fall  within 
the  first  week  of  April,  for  southern  Ohio,  and  a  week  later 
for  Lorain  county.  The  last  ones  leave  the  state  during  the 
middle  of  October. 


265.     (677.)     GEOTHLYPIS  FORMOSA  (Wils.).     58. 
Kentucky  Warbler. 

Synonyms:   Oporornis  formosa,  Sylvia  formosa,  Myiodioctes  for- 

mosa.Sylvicola  formosa. 
Kentucky  Yellow-throat. 
Audubon,  Orn.  Biog.,  1,  1831,  196. 

Dr.  Wheaton  says  of  this  warbler,  ''Rare  summer  resident ; 
in  particular  localities  only."  It  is  now  fairly  common  over 
most  of  the  southern  third  of  the  state,  and  ranges  -nearly 
to  the  lake  in  the  western  half,  and  rarely  to  the  lake  in  the 


190  BIRDS   OF  OHIO. 

eastern  half  of  the  state.  There  are  three  probable  records 
of  its  occurrence  in  Lorain  county.*  In  the  rougher  parts  of 
the  state  this  warbler  is  to  be  found  in  the  gorges  well 
grown  with  brush  and  trees.  It  seems  partial  to  the  S'teep 
hillsides  in  such  localities. 

The  first  appear  in  southern  Ohio  during  late  April  or 
early  May,  and  return  south  late  in  September. 

266.  (678.)     GEOTHLYPIS  AGILIS   (Wils.).      57. 

Connecticut  Warbler. 

Synonyms:     Oporornis  agilis,  Sylvia  agilis,  Trichas  agilis. 
Kirtland,  Ohio  Geol.  Surv.,  1838,  162,  182. 

This  is  one  of  the  rare  warblers  which  pass  entirely  across 
the  state.  Dr.  Wheaton  recorded  five  specimens  taken  in  the 
state.  The  unquestionable  records  since  1882  are  hardly 
more.  But  three  have  been  recorded  for  Lorain  county,  one 
of  them  May  24,  1902.  It  must  be  looked  for  on  or  near 
the  ground  in  brushy  places,  but  not  necessarily  where  it 
is  wet.  The  birds  are  timid  and  retiring,  but  may  be  closely 
approached  with  care.  I  have  never  heard  the  song  to  know 
it. 

The  migrations  appear  to  occur  rather  late  in  spring,  and 
the  return  in  fall  is  during  the  early  part  of  August. 

267.  (679.)     GEOTHLYPIS  PHILADELPHIA  (Wils.).    59. 

Mourning  Warbler. 

Synonyms:     Sylvia  Philadelphia. 

Philadelphia  Warbler,  Black-throated  Ground  Warbler. 
Wheaton,  Ohio  Agri.  Report,  1860,  363,  373. 

While  this  species  seems  to  be  more  numerous  than  the 
last,  it  is  by  no  means  common  anywhere  in  the  state.  It 
does  not  remain  to  breed,  but  passes  north  of  our  border. 
During  their  migrations  these  birds  are  to  be  found  on  or 
near  the  ground,  rarely  mounting  into  the  lower  branches 
of  the  trees.  They  seem  to  prefer  brushy  tangles  within 

*Since  the  above  was  written  a  specimen  has  been  secured  at 
Oberlio  by  the  writer. 


PASSERES MNIOTILTID^E.  191 

the  woods,  and  have  been  found  only  in  rather  damp  places 
in  Lorain  county.    They  are  usually  silent  while  here. 

The  individuals  recorded  at  Oberlin  have  been  among 
the  latest  arrivals — between  the  10th  and  15th  of  May. 
They  remain  but  a  week  or  ten-  days  and  then  pass  north- 
ward, returning  early  in  August. 

268.  (681d.)      GEOTHLYPIS      TRICHAS      BRACHIDACTYLA 

(Swain).     60. 
Northern  Yellow-throat. 

Synonyms:      Geothlypis   trichas,    Sylvia  trichas,    Trichas   mary- 

landica,  Turdus  trichas. 

Yellow-throated    Ground   Warbler,   Ground   Warbler,   Black- 
masked  Ground  Warbler,  Black-cheeked  Ground  Warbler, 
Black-necked    Yellow-throat,    Briar    Wren,    Yellow    Briar 
Wren,  Maryland  Yellow-throat. 
Kirtland,  Ohio  Geol.  Surv.,  1838,  163,  182. 

This  little  brush  warbler  is  everywhere  common,  and  lo- 
cally abundant  in  Ohio.  It  will  be  found  in  the  brushy 
woods,  weed-grown/  swales,  or  sloughs,  in  second-growth 
slashings,  or  in-  the  fringe  of  brush  surrounding  high  woods. 
In  general  it  prefers  damp  situations,  but  may  nest  almost 
anywhere  if  the  conditions  are  suitable  for  a  nest.  No  doubt 
there  are  places  in  the  hilly  south-eastern  parts  of  the  state 
where  this  bird  is  rare  if  present,  because  the  conditions 
which  entice  him  are  wanting. 

The  Northern  Yellow-throat  reaches  Ohio  during  the 
last  week  in  April  and  is  soon  common  even  to  the  northern 
counties.  It  sings  during  its  entire  stay,  leaving  the  state 
early  in  October.  t 

269.  (683.)     ICTERIA  VIRENS    (Linn.).     61. 

Yellow-breasted  Chat. 

Synonyms:     Icteria  viridis,  Turdus  virens,  Muscicapa  viridis. 

Yellow  Mockingbird. 
Audubon,  Orn.  Biog.,  II,  1834,  223. 

This  large  unwarbler-like  warbler  is  far  more  common 
in  the  southern  counties  than  at  the  lake  shore.  Appar- 
ently the  gradation  is  a  nearly  uniform  one  from  the  Ohio 


192  BIRDS  OF  OHIO. 

river  to  Lake  Erie.  It  is  locally  abundant  in  the  southern 
counties  and  is  almost  rare  in  the  northern,  except  locally, 
where  it  may  become  fairly  common.  This  is  another  thick- 
et loving  bird,  and  is  found  in  nearly  the  same  situations  as 
the  Maryland  Yellow-throat,  but  in  the  smaller  growth  of 
trees.  The  birds  live  higher  up,  and  usually  nest  higher ; 
but,  like  the  Yellow^throats,  they  must  have  brushy  condi- 
tions, .at  least. 

The  Chat  reaches  Oberlin  about  the  first  of  May  and  tar- 
ries until  the  first  week  of  September. 

270.     (684.)     WILSONIA  MITRATA  (Gmel.).     62. 
Hooded  Warbler. 

Synonyms:      Myiodioctes   mitratus,    Sylvania   mitrata,   Motacilla 

mitrata. 

Hooded  Fly-catching  Warbler,  Mitred  Warbler,  Black-headed 
Warbler,  Selby's  Warbler. 

Read,  Fam.  Visitor,  III,  1853,  367. 

The  summer  distribution  of  this  warbler  is  somewhat  pe- 
culiar. In  general  it  is  more  common  southerly  than  north- 
erly, but  about  Jefferson  it  is  almost  common.  It  is  reported 
as  rare  during  the  summer  near  Cleveland.  There  is  but 
a  single  record  for  Lorain  county,  and  that  was  not  a  breed- 
ing bird.*  It  is  certain  that  the  species  would  have  been 
found  if  it  breeds  in  the  vicinity  of  Oberlin.  Even  in  the 
southern  counties  it  is  only  locally  common. 

The  Hooded  Warbler  frequents  the  undergrowth  of  the 
woods,  but  often  mounts  high  up  among  the  branches  to 
sing.  Its  -nest  is  in  the  undergrowth.  In  my  experience 
the  preferred  nesting-place  is  in  some  rather  flat  woods 
among  the  spice  bushes  or  other  shrubbery  which  grows  well 
under  tall  trees. 

The  migration  records  are  somewhat  uncertain,  but  seem 
to  be  during  the  first  week  of  May  and  the  last  week  of 
September. 

*  Since  the  above  was  written  another  specimen  has  been  found 
at  Oberlin. 


PASSERES MNIOTILTID^E.  193 

271.  (685.)      WILSONIA  PUSILLA  (Wils.).    63. 

Wilson  Warbler. 

Synonyms:      Myiodioctes    pusillus,    Sylvia    wilsonii,    Muscicapa 

pusilla. 

Green  Black-capped  Fly-catching  Warbler,  Green  Black-cap- 
ped Yellow    Warbler,    Wilson's    Black-cap,    Black-capped 
Yellow  Warbler. 
Kirtland,  Ohio  Geol.  Surv.,  1838,  163,  182. 

Wilson  Warbler  is  strictly  migratory,  passing  completely 
across  the  state  both  spring  and  autumn.  Dr.  Wheaton  said 
of  it,  "Not  common  migrant  in  spring ;  abundant  in  fall."  I 
have  never  found  it  common  at  Oberlin  in  spring,  and  even 
less  numerous  in  fall.  Its  numbers  appear  to  have  decreased 
since  Dr.  Wheaton's  time.  It  may  be  found  in  the  shrub- 
bery of  woods,  or  even  well  up  in  the  trees,  when  migrating. 
I  have  found  it  in  orchards  not  infrequently,  in  company 
with  the  other  migrating  host  of  warblers. 

This  warbler  is  usually  rather  late  in  putting  in  an  ap- 
pearance, but  the  fact  that  it  is  sometimes  recorded  late  in 
April  argues  that  it  may  well  be  placed  with  the  group  of 
warblers  which  arrive  about  May  1.  It  passes  north  about 
May  20,  and  returns  early  in  August,  to  remain  three 
weeks  or  more. 

272.  (686.)     WILSONIA  CANADENSIS  (Linn.).     64. 

Canadian  Warbler. 

Synonyms:     Myiodioctes  canadensis,  Sylvia  pardalina,  Sylvicola 

pardalina,  Muscicapa  canadensis. 

Canada  Fly-catching  Warbler,  Canadian  Fly-catching  Warb- 
ler, Speckled  Canada  Warbler,  Necklaced  Warbler,  Cana- 
da Flycatcher. 
Kirtland,  Ohio  Geol.  Surv.,  1838,  163,  181. 

The  Canadian  Warbler  should  be  found  as  a  migrant 
anywhere  in  the  state,  both  spring  and  autumn.  It  is  not  as 
numerous  as  many  species,  but  is  certain  to  be  seen  during 
each  migration  if  one  be  on  the  lookout  for  it.  I  have  found 
it  more  frequently  in  the  higher  woods  than  elsewhere,  but 
it  also  feeds  in  the  shade  trees  and  orchards.  In  the  woods 
it  prefers  the  middle  stories  of  the  trees. 


194:  BIRDS  OF  OHIO. 

At  Oberlin  this  warbler  makes  its  appearance  about  May 
7,  remaining  until  about  the  20th.  It  returns  early  in  Au- 
gust and  individuals  may  be  found  as  late  as  September 
25. 

273.  (687.)     SETOPHAGA  RUTICILLA   (Linn.).     65. 

American  Redstart. 

Synonyms:     Muscicapa  ruticilla. 

Redstart,  Redstart  Warbler,  Redstart  Flycatcher. 
Kirtland,  Ohio  Geol.  Surv.,  1838,  163. 

Redstart  is  a  common  summer  resident  everywhere  in  the 
state,  and  in  many  localities  is  really  abundant.  It  is  par- 
tial to  woods  which  contain  many  small  trees  among  the 
larger  timber.  I  have  never  found  it  nesting  in  deep  woods 
devoid  of  underbrush  or  some  small  growth,  but  it  is  usually 
numerous  in  small  second-growth  timber. 

It  reaches  the  state  during  the  last  week  in  April,  and  has 
passed  to  the  lake  shore  by  the  1st  of  May.  None  are  seen 
in  Lorain  county  after  September  25,  but  a  few  individu- 
als may  tarry  in  southern  Ohio  until  the  middle  of  October. 

Family  MOTACILLID^E.     Wagtails. 

The  single  species  which  inhabits  Ohio  is  generally  found 
in  flocks  in  the  spring  and  fall  months,  and  may  linger  into 
the  winter  in  the  middle  and  southern  parts  of  the  state. 
Its  usually  small  numbers  make  it  unimportant  economic- 
ally. 

274.  (697.).     ANTHUS  PENSILVANICUS  (Lath.).    27. 

American  Pipit. 

Synonyms:     Anthus  ludovicianus,  A.  splnoletta,  Alauda  pensil- 

vanica. 

Brown  Lark,  Titlark,  Pipit,  Louisiana  Pipit,  American  Tit- 
lark,   Wagtail ,   Prairie    Titlark,    Reddish-brown    Titlark, 
Louisiana  Lark,  Hudsonian  Wagtail. 
Kirtland,  Ohio  Geol.  Surv.,  1838,  163,  182. 

The  Pipit  is  so  erratic  in  its  movements  that  one  is  at  a 
loss  what  to  say  about  it.  It  is  hardly  common  for  more 
than  a  few  days  at  a  time,  if  a  flock  be  regarded  as  an  indi- 


PASSERES TROGLODYTHXE.  195 

vidual.  The  most  of  my  dates  of  first  appearance  fall  within 
the  first  week  of  May,  but  there  is  one  record  for  March 
15,  1901.  The  last  have  gone  north  by  May  20.  I  have 
but  one  autumn  record,  which  is  October  19,  1896. 

While  the  Pipit  is  a  bird  of  the  fields  it  may  also  perch  in 
trees,  and  in  that  particular  differs  from  the  Horned  Larks, 
which  it  somewhat  closely  resembles  in  general  habits  and 
appearance.  The  slight  wag  to  the  tail  is  always  a  good  field 
mark. 

From  the  habits  and  haunts  of  these  birds  one  would  con- 
clude that  their  chief  food  must  be  the  larvae  of  insects,  with 
perhaps  a  good  deal  of  weed  seed  or  grain  of  one  sort  or  an- 
other. They  are  fond  of  searching  over  newly  plowed 
fields,  where  they  may  be  seen  feeding. 

Family  TROGLODYTID^E.    Mockers,  Thrashers,  Wrens. 

This  family  is  so  varied  that  it  seems  best  to  subdivide  it 
into  the  two  subfamilies. 

Subfamily  MIMIN^E.     Mockers,  Catbirds,  Thrashers. 

To  this  subfamily  belong  the  larger  birds  which  are  nearly 
the  size  of  the  Robin.  Three  species  occur  in  Ohio,  one  of 
them  rarely,  while  the  other  two  are  common  enough  to  be 
well  known.  The  Catbird  is  the  familiar  slate-colored  bird 
of  the  brushy  tangles  of  the  woods  or  garden,  while  the 
Brown  Thrasher  is  more  often  seen  along  hedgerows  where 
it  nests.  All  members  of  this  subfamily  are  famous  singers 
and  mockers. 

275.     (703.)     MIMUS  POLYGLOTTOS  (Linn.).    7. 
Mockingbird. 

Synonyms:      Turdus  polyglottus. 

Mocking  Thrush,  Mimic  Thrush. 
Kirtland,  Ohio  Geol.  Surv.,  1838,  163,  181. 

As  an  Ohio  bird  the  Mockingbird  is  certainly  rare.  The 
unquestioned  records  seem  to  be  as  follows :  Cincinnati, 
Langdon,  Dury;  Waverly,  Henninger;  Perry,  Beeman; 


196  BIRDS  OF  OHIO. 

Morgan,  Morris,  Arrick,  Davie;  Oberlin,  Jump  (specimen)  ; 
Columbus,  Wheaton,  Davie.  The  Cleveland  records  need 
confirmation.  In  Morgan  county  they  were  present  all  sum- 
mer in  1896,  and  in  the  autumn  of  that  year  twenty  birds 
were  to  be  found.  The  same  colony  returned  in  1897  but 
left  during  the  cold  May  and  June  of  that  year,  and  have 
not  been  found  since.  There  are  a  number  of  unconfirmed 
records  of  the  Mockingbird  from  northern  Ohio  which  may 
prove  to  be  good  records.  But  the  likelihood  of  the  presence 
of  escaped  cage-birds  in  the  vicinity  of  cities,  from  which 
these  reports  come,  throws  some  doubt  upon  the  records. 

Since  the  above  was  written  Mr.  C.  H.  Morris  writes  me 
that  on  January  25,  1903,  in  company  with  Mr  E.  J.  Ar- 
rick, he  found  and  captured  a  Mockingbird  near  McCon- 
nellsville.  Let  us  hope  that  this  is  an  indication  of  an  inva- 
sion of  this  beautiful  singer  and  mimic. 

276.     (704.)     GALEOSCOPTES   CAROLINENSIS     (Linn.).  8. 
Catbird. 

Synonyms:     Mimus  carolinensis,  Turdus  felivox,  Mimus  felivox, 

Muscicapa   carolinensis. 
Cat  Flycatcher,  Merle  Catbird,  Chat. 
Kirtland,   Ohio,   Geol.    Surv.,   1838,   163. 

Catbird  is  everywhere  common  during  the  summer,  and 
abundant  in  many  localities.  It  is  probably  too  well  known 
to  make  necessary  the  mention  of  its  brush-loving  proclivi- 
ties. It  is  bold  enough  to  make  its  summer  home  in  the 
door-yard  if  a  suitable  nesting-place  be  furnished. 

Forty-four  per  cent,  of  the  Catbird's  food  consists  of  in- 
sects, and  56  per  cent,  vegetable  matter.  Of  this  56  per 
cent,  only  one-third  consists  of  fruit  which  might  be  culti- 
vated. In  most  parts  of  Ohio  it  is  certain  that  a  large  part 
of  the  fruit  eaten  is  wild  fruit.  Hence  the  Catbird  is  really 
a  decidedly  beneficial  bird.  It  cannot  be  denied  that  be 
eats  some  fruit  on  occasion,  and  may  be  punished  for  it. 
He  is  neither  a  witch  nor  a  wizard,  as  many  persons  seem 
to  think,  but  a  plain  everyday  sort  of  bird,  mostly  concerned 
with  his  own  business,  wanting  nothing  only  to  be  let  alone. 


PASSERES TROGLODYTID^E  197 

The  Catbird  reaches  the  state  shortly  after  April  20, 
rarely  earlier,  and  soon  becomes  common.  The  bulk  of  the 
species  has  gone  south  by  the  10th  of  September,  but  indi- 
viduals may  remain  well  into  October. 

277.     (705.)     TOXOSTOMA   RUFUM     (Linn.).     9. 
Brown  Thrasher. 

Synonyms:  Harporhynchus  rufus,  Turdus  rufus,  Mimus  rufus. 
Brown  Thrush,  Thrasher,  Sand  Mockingbird,  French  Mock- 
ingbird, Ferrugineous  Thrush,  Fox-colored  Mockbird. 

Kirtland,  Ohio,  Geol.  Surv.,  1838    163. 

Although  fairly  common,  the  Brown  Thrasher  is  far  less 
numerous  than  its  cousin,  the  Catbird.  It  is  a  great  lover 
of  hedgerows  and  overgrown  line  fences  where  narrow 
thickets  have  formed.  It  may  also  be  found  in  brushy  tan- 
gles, but  not  in  woods  proper. 

Sixty-four  per  cent,  of  what  the  Brown  Thrasher  eats  is 
animal  matter,  mostly  injurious  insects,  while  only  36  per 
cent,  is  vegetable.  This  bird  also  eats  fruit  in  its  season, 
but  the  bulk  of  its  vegetable  food  is  of  no  use  to  man.  It  is 
one  of  the  distinctly  beneficial  species  which  sometimes  does 
some  damage. 

Contrary  to  what  we  might  expect,  this  bird  is  an  early 
April  arrival  from  the  south,  rarely  appearing  late  in 
March.  The  late  snow-storms  do  not  seem  to  inconvenience 
it.  Individuals  may  be  found  during  the  first  week  in 
October. 

Subfamily  TROGLODYTIN./E.     Wrens. 

Six  species  of  wrens  are  found  in  Ohio.  In  the  north  the 
House,  and  in  the  south  Carolina  and  Bewick  are  famil- 
iar about  dwellings.  The  two  Marsh  Wrens  have  spoiled 
their  voices  by  living  so  much  in  the  damp  of  the  marshes, 
but  the  other  members  of  the  group  are  good  singers.  The 
tireless  energy  of  these  birds  makes  the  classical  ant  look  to 
his  laurels.  We  have  nothing  but  commendation  for  the 
services  rendered  by  these  birds,  even  if  they  do  occasionally 
usurp  the  dwellings  of  other  birds. 


198  BIRDS  OF  OHIO. 

278.  (718.)     THRYOTHORUS  LUDOVICIANUS   (Lath.).     21. 

Carolina  Wren. 

Synonyms:      Troglodytes  ludovicianus,  Sylvia  ludoviciana. 

Great  Carolina  Wren;  Mocking  Wren,  Louisiana  Wren,  Ham- 
mock or  Hummock  Wren,  Palmetto  Wren,  Large  Wood 
Wren. 

Kirtland,  Ohio  Geol.  Surv.,  1838,  168,  183. 

Dr.  Wheaton's  statement,  "Abundant  in  Southern,  com- 
mon and  resident  in  Middle,  rare  in  Northern  Ohio,"  still 
holds  good  in  the  main.  There  is  good  evidence  that  its 
northern  range  is  extending,  and  that  the  birds  are  becom- 
ing more  common  north  than  he  knew  them.  They  seem  to 
be  resident  wherever  they  occur.  We  found  them  on  East 
Sister  Island,  Lake  Erie,  and  there  are  records  even  into 
Ontario. 

In  many  places  this  wren  is  as  familiar  as  the  House 
Wren,  building  under  the  porch  roof.  It  is  fond  of  brushy 
tangles  and  bushy  ravines  or  gorges.  The  borders  of 
streams  afford  good  cover. 

The  food  of  this  wren  is  almost  entirely  animal,  and  the 
most  of  that  insects.  It  is  likely  that  in  winter  more  vege- 
table waste  may  be  eaten  if  other  food. is  hard  to  secure, 
but  at  any  time  this  large  wren  is  one  of  the  most  beneficial 
of  our  birds. 

279.  (719.)     THRYOMANES  BEWICKII    (Aud.).     22. 

Bewick  Wren.  , 

Synonyms:     Thryothorous  bewickii,  T.  b.  var.  bewickii,  Troglo- 
dytes bewickii. 
Southern  House  Wren,  Long-tailed  House  Wren,  Song  Wren, 

Long-tailed  Wren. 
Dury  and  Freeman,  Journal  Gin.  Soc.  Nat.  Hist.,  II,  1879,  101. 

While  Dr.  Wheaton  and  Dr.  Langdon  admitted  this  wren  to 
their  earlier  lists  they  removed  it  from  their  later  ones  because 
the  records  upon  which  statements    were  made  proved  unfound- 
.  ed.    The  above  reference  is  the  first  authentic  record. 

It  appears  that  this  wren,  which  was  unknown  as  an  Ohio 
:bird  in  1882,  has  extended  its  range  northeastward  almost 


PASSERES TROGLODYTID^E.  199 

if  not  quite  to  our  northern  border  as  far  east  as  Oberlin, 
where  it  has  twice  been  recorded  within  the  last  five  years. 
It  is  gradually  but  surely  replacing-  the  House  Wren  in  the 
southern  counties,  possibly  because  it  is  the  resident  form 
while  the  House  Wren  migrates.  It  is  common  now  as  far 
east  as  Scioto  county,  and  nearly  as  far  north  as  Columbus. 
The  food  of  this  wren  does  not  differ  materially  from  that 
of  the  Carolina  Wren.  It  is  distinctly  beneficial  in  its  food 
habits. 


280.     (721.)     TROGLODYTES  AEDON   Vieill.    23. 
House  Wren. 

Synonyms:      Trogoldytes   domesticus,   Motacilla  domestica. 

Eastern  House  Wren,  Short-tailed  House  Wren,  Wood  Wren. 
Read,  Proc.  Phil.  Acad.  Nat.  Sci.,  VI,  1853,  396. 

The  House  Wren,  once  a  common  summer  resident  in  all 
parts  of  the  state,  is  now  being  forced  out  by  the  invasion 
of  Bewick  Wren.  It  does  not  appear  to  be  increasing  in 
those  parts  of  the  state  not  yet  covered  by  the  last  species, 
but  is  holding  its  own  there.  I  have  been  disappointed  in  not 
finding  more  House  Wrens  about  the  houses.  The  woods 
are  much  more  preferred  in  Ohio  than  in  the  central  parts 
of  Iowa.  In  certain  parts  of  every  town  this  wren  may  be 
found,  but  it  is  not  present  everywhere  that  a  place  offers. 

The  food  consists  almost  wholly  of  insects  that  harm 
fruit-trees.  It  has  lately  been  discovered  that  if  a  pair  of 
House  Wrens  are  driven  from  a  box  or  other  nesting- 
place  which  they  have  selected,  and  are  permitted  to  nest 
in  the  vicinity,  they  will  destroy  the  eggs  of  any  birds  which 
may  nest  in  that  place  desired  by  them  but  denied  them. 
One  would  not  suppose  vindictivenesss  to  be  a  vice  of  Jenny 
Wren. 

The  House  Wrens  appear  in  southern  Ohio  about  the 
middle  of  April,  and  a  wreek  later  at  Oberlin.  They  return 
south  about  October  1. 


200  BIRDS    OF    OHIO. 

281.  (722.)     OLBIORCHILUS  HIEMALIS   (Vieill.).     24. 

Winter  Wren. 

Synonyms:      Anorthura  troglodytes  var.   hyemalis,   Troglodytes 
europaeus,   T.   hyemalis,   T.   parvulus   var.   hyemalis,   Syl- 
via troglodytes. 
Bunty  Wren. 

Kirtland,  Ohio  Geol.  Surv.,  1838,  163. 

Dr.  Wheaton  stated  that  this  little  wren  is  a  common 
winter  resident.  It  is  now  not  at  all  common  in  most  locali- 
ties. Possibly  its  small  size  and  lowly  habits  cause  it  to  be 
overlooked.  It  is  more  numerous  during  the  migrations,  in 
Lorain  county,  than  during  the  winter,  arguing  that  the 
majority  of  individuals  pass  farther  south  to  winter. 

During  the  winter  it  haunts  brush-piles,  where  it  is  able  to 
pick  up  a  respectable  living  of  animal  matter,  and  the  stream 
gorges,  probably  passing  the  nights  in  the  little  caves  in 
the  rocks. 

Individuals  may  be  found  as  late  as_May  10,  in  spring.  I 
have  never  found  one  before  the  10th  of  October  in  autumn. 

282.  (724.)     CISTOTHORUS  STELLARIS    (Licht.).     26. 

Short-billed  Marsh  Wren. 

Synonyms:      Troglodytes   brevirostris,   Troglodytes   stellaris. 

Fresh   Water   Marsh   Wren,    Meadow   Wren. 
Read,  Proc.  Phil.  Acad.  Nat.  Sci.,  VI,  1853,  395. 

This  is  a  rare  bird  in  Ohio.  It  appears  to  breed  in  suit- 
able localities  anywhere  in  the  state,  but  is  too  rare  to  be 
noticed  by  any  but  the  ornithologist  who  is  on  the  lookout 
for  it.  There  are  two  Lorain  county  records,  but  neither  of 
them  of  breeding  birds. 

Unlike  the  next  species,  this  wren  does  not  prefer  the 
large  marshes,  but  rather  wet  lands  which  have  a  rank 
growth  of  coarse  grass.  Here  the  birds  build  their  mouse- 
like nest,  lashing  it  to  the  grass  stems.  I  have  never  seen 
the  birds  in  brushy  places,  nor  in  the  immediate  vicinity  of 
true  marshes. 

The  food  differs  from  that  of  the  more  arboreal  wrens 
only  in  the  kinds  of  insects  eaten. 


PASSERES CERTHIID^E.  201 

Its  Ohio  migrations  cannot  be  accurately  given  because 
we  have  no  data.  It  is  likely  that  the  birds  reach  Ohio 
during  the  first  ten  days  of  May,  and  depart  southward 
again  during  the  middle  of  September. 

283.  (725.)     TELMATODYTES  PALUSTRIS    (Wils.).    25. 

Long-billed  Marsh  Wren. 

Synonyms:      Cistothorus   palustris,   Troglodytes   palustris,   Mot- 

acilla   palustris,    Certhia   palustris. 
Salt-water  Marsh  Wren,  Marsh  Wren. 
Kirtland,  Ohio  Geol.  Surv.,  1838,  163. 

This  Marsh  Wren  is  abundant  about  most  of  our  large 
marshes.  Regions  without  marshes  or  marshy  conditions 
will  not  be  visited  by  this  species.  I  found  them  literally 
swarming  at  Licking  and  Lewiston  reservoirs,  Sandusky 
Bay  marshes  and  Chippewa  Lake.  A  few  pairs  remain  in 
the  rapidly  narrowing  marshes  at  Lorain  and  Oak  Point. 

These  birds  are  true  swamp  birds,  lashing  their  nests  to 
reeds  and  cat-tails  which  stand  in  the  water.  In  my  mind 
they  are  associated  with  Coot,  Florida  Gallinule,  and  Black 
Tern. 

The  food  is  largely  insects,  and  probably  also  some  other 
small  animals  inhabiting  such  regions. 

This  wren  reaches  Lorain  county  during  the  first  five 
days  of  May,  and  is  gone  by  the  middle  of  September. 

Family  CERTHIID^E.     Creepers. 

284.  (726.)     CERTHIA  FAMILIARIS  AMERICANA   (Bonap.). 

20. 
Brown  Creeper. 

Synonyms:     Certhia  familiaris,  C.  f.  rufa,  C.  americana. 

American  Creeper,  Little  Brown  Creeper. 
Kirtland,  Ohio  Geol.  Surv.,  1838,  164. 

The  Brown  Creeper  is  sometimes  common  during  the  mi- 
grations, but  is  less  common  as  a  winter  resident  over  the 
entire  state.  His  small  size  and  weak  voice  and  resem- 
blance to  the  bark  of  trees  serve  to  hide  him  from  all  but 


202  BIRDS  OF  OHIO. 

the  inquiring  eye.  In  winter  he  prefers  the  deep  woods, 
though  often  found  in  towns ;  but  during  the  migrations  he 
frequently  pursues  his  search  for  insects  and  larvae  in  the 
bark  of  our  shade  trees.  In  winter  I  have  usually  found 
him  among  the  company  of  nuthatches,  woodpeckers,  and 
titmice. 

In  spring  he  tarries  well  into  May,  returning  late  in  Sep- 
tember. 

Family  PARIMS.     Nuthatches  and  Titmice. 
Subfamily   SITTING.      Nuthatches. 

The  nuthatches  are  so  different  from  all  other  birds  in 
their  manner  of  feeding  tliat  they  attract  attention  at  once. 
They  much  prefer  to  cling  head  downward  on  a  perpendic- 
ular tree  trunk,  prying  into  the  crevices  of  the  bark,  or 
"hatching"  the  kernel  from  some  nut  or  seed.  They  always 
want  to  know  what  you  are  and  what  you  propose  to  do 
about  it.  They  are  poor  singers,  but  the  voice  is  strong 
and  carries  far.  The  term  "sapsucker"  is  wholly  misap- 
plied to  these  birds.  They  are  wholly  useful. 

285.     (727.)     SITTA  CAROLINENSIS    Lath.     17. 

'  White-breasted  Nuthatch. 

Synonyms:     White-bellied  Nuthatch,  Carolina  Nuthatch. 
Kirtland,  Ohio  Geol.  Surv.,  1838,  164. 

All  must  know  this  interesting  inhabitant  of  the  trees, 
for  he  is  common  all  the  year  everywhere  in  the  state,  com- 
ing into  the  parks  and  not  infrequently  building  his  nest 
there  or  in  the  shade  trees  along  the  streets.  He  may  be 
found  everywhere  that  trees  grow,  especially  in  winter.  He 
is  usually  the  first  of  the  winter  company  to  make  his  pres- 
ence known  in  the  woods.  His  habit  of  clinging  and  feed- 
ing head  down  on  the  trunk  of  a  tree  attracts  attention  to 
him  at  once. 

The  food  of  this  bird  is  both  insects  and  vegetable  mat- 
ter. The  insects  are  such  as  inhabit  the  bark  of  trees,  most- 
ly, and  the  vegetable  matter  seems  to  be  largely  the  beech- 


PASSERES PARID^E.  203 

nuts  and  the  other  small  forest  nuts  and  fruits.  I  have 
seen  the  nuthatch  descend  to  the  ground  for  weed  seed  and 
other  tidbits  which  have  fallen  upon  the  snow.  He  also 
sometimes  searches  about  the  decaying  stumps  and  about 
the  roots  of  the  trees.  There  is  nothing  in  the  statement 
that  he  is  one  of  the  "sapsuckers"  and  so  injures  trees. 
He  is  a  very  useful  bird  at  all  times. 

286.     (728.)     SITTA   CANADENSIS    Linn.    18. 

Red-breasted   Nuthatch. 

Synonyms:      Red-bellied   Nuthatch,   Canada  Nuthatch. 
Kirtland,  Ohio  Geol.  Surv.,  1838,  164. 

This  nuthatch  is  usually  less  common  than  the  preced- 
ing, and  is  not  resident  anywhere  in  the  state.  It  is  more 
common  as  a  migrant  both  spring  and  autumn,  but  it  win- 
ters in  small  numbers  over  the  entire  state,  more  numerous- 
ly in  the  southwestern  part.  It  is  found  in  nearly  the  same 
situations  as  the  White-breasted,  and  frequently  ranges 
with  it.  Its  food  seems  to  be  much  the  same. 

In  its  migrations  it  reaches  the  state  early  in  April  and  is 
gone  north  by  the  middle  of  May,  returning  again  about  the 
middle  of  September.  Most  have  gone  south  again  a 
month  later,  a  few  remaining  all  winter. 

Subfamily   PARING.     Titmice. 

Of  the  members  of  this  group  which  live  in  Ohio  one  is 
southern,  scarcely  reaching  even  the  middle  of  the  state. 
The  other  two  are  among  the  most  common  winter  birds, 
the  Chickadee  often  feeding  about  our  houses.  The  Tufted 
Titmouse  not  infrequently  comes  into  town,  especially  dur- 
ing March  and  April,  when  he  is  calling  lustily.  A  whistled 
imitation  of  their  calls  will  almost  invariably  bring  one  or 
more  within  reach  of  your  hand.  They  are  not  so  much  in 
evidence  in  summer  because  they  are  busy  with  household 
affairs  then. 


204  BIRDS  OF  OHIO. 

287.  (731.)     B^OLOPHUS  BICOLOR  Linn.    14. 

Tufted  Titmouse. 
Synonyms:     Lophophanes  bicolor. 

Crested    Titmouse,     Toupet   Titmouse,     Peter-peter,     Sugar- 
bird. 
Kirtland,   Ohio  Geol.   Surv.,  1838,  164. 

This  Titmouse  is  common  all  the  year  over  the  entire 
state.  Its  loud  voice  and  unwariness  make  it  a  familiar 
woodland  object.  It  also  ventures  into  town  during  the 
winter  and  early  spring,  but  keeps  mostly  to  the  woods.  In 
winter  it  forms  one  of  the  company  of  small  birds  which 
range  through  the  timber. 

Its  food  consists  of  both  animal  and  vegetable  matter. 
The  animal  food  is  largely  insects  and  the  vegetable  weed 
seeds  and  small  nuts.  It  is  at  all  times  a  useful  bird. 

288.  (735.)     PARUS  ATRICAPILLUS    Linn.     15. 

Chickadee. 
Synonyms:        Black-capped      Chickadee,      Eastern      Chickadee, 

Black-capped  Titmouse,  Black-cap. 
Kirtland,  Ohio  Geol.  Surv.,  1838,  164. 

There  is  hardly  a  more  familiar  bird  in  the  state  than 
either  this  more  northern  Chickadee  or  the  next  species.  It 
conies  into  the  dooryard  during  the  winter,  looking  for  any 
chance  crumb,  or  for  the  suet  which  you  may  have  thrown 
out  or  tied  to  some  convenient  tree.  It  generally  retires  to 
the  woods  at  nesting-time,  and  is  little  seen  then,  but  a 
whistled  imitation  of  the  pe  te  call  will  usually  bring  an 
answer  and  the  bird  himself  after  a  little.  The  Chickadee 
is  one  of  the  most  inquisitive  of  birds,  and  can  readily  be 
taught  to  feed  from  one's  hand.  It  is  well  worth  while  to 
take  a  little  time  to  cultivate  the  acquaintance  of  the  birds 
which  are  sure  to  visit  your  yard  at  some  time  during  the 
winter,  for  once  they  find  provisions  put  out  for  them  they 
become  regular  visitors,  and  soon  call  other  birds  to  the 
feast.  A  bone  not  too  closely  picked,  tied  to  a  tree  or  nailed 
to  a  board  placed  convenient  to  the  window,  will  do  very 
well.  They  are  also  fond  of  suet,  and  broken  nut  meats  are 
eagerly  taken. 


PASSERES SYLVIID^:.  205 

The  food  of  this  smaller  titmouse  is  not  unlike  that  of 
the  Tufted.  The  Chickadee  is  probably  a  greater  weed-seed 
destroyer. 

289.  (736.)     PARUS  CAROLINENSIS   Aud.     16. 

Carolina  Chickadee. 

Synonyms:      Parus  atricapillus  var.  carolinensis. 

Southern  Chickadee,  Carolina  Titmouse. 
Wheaton,  Ohio  Agri.  Report,  1874,  562. 

It  is  difficult  to  distinguish  between  the  two  Chickadees 
at -first,  but  one  soon  learns  to  note  the  smaller  size  of  the 
Carolina.  The  notes  and  calls  are  also  different,  being 
higher  pitched  and  more  rapidly  given  than  the  Chickadee 
of  the  poets,  and  usually  of  more  syllables. 

The  distribution  of  this  Chickadee  is  not  clearly  worked 
out  for  Ohio.  It  is  the  more  common  form  south,  but 
does  not  appear  to  displace  the  other  anywhere.  The  evi- 
dence seems  to  point  to  a  more  northerly  distribution  in  the 
western  part  of  the  state,  where  it  is  known  as  far  north  as 
Columbus  and  Granville,  but  it  seems  to  be  absent  from 
Morgan  county  and  east  of  there.  We  need  to  study  the 
chickadees  more  carefully  before  any  definite  statement  can 
be  made  of  the  distribution  of  this  form. 

Family   SYLVIIM:.   Kinglets   and   Gnatcatchers. 

Next  to  the  hummingbirds  these  are  the  smallest  of  our 
native  birds.  They  are  strictly  arboreal,  but  sometimes 
glean  from  the  ground.  In  their  passage  north  and  south 
the  kinglets  feed  plentifully  in  our  orchards  and  shade 
trees,  only  the  Gnatcatcher  remaining  to  nest. 

Subfamily  REGULIN^:.     Kinglets.    • 

290.  (748.)     -REGULUS  SATRAPA  Licht.    13. 

Golden-crowned  Kinglet. 

Synonyms:     Regulus  cristatus,  R.  tricolor. 

Golden-crested    Kinglet,    American    Golden-created    Kinglet, 

Fiery-crowned  Wren. 
Kirtland,  Ohio  Geol.  Surv.,  1838,  163. 


206  BIRDS  OF  OHIO. 

This  kinglet  is  common  as  a  transient,  but  less  common 
as  a  winter  resident.  It  is  sometimes  even  abundant  dur- 
ing the  migrations  in  certain  localities.  The  kinglets  are 
leaf  and  twig  gleaners,  but  also  make  sallies  after  flying  in- 
sects. They  are  to  be  found  among  the  evergreen  trees  dur- 
ing the  winter  more  often  than  elsewhere,  but  also  frequent 
well  protected  brushy  woods  to  feed.  Their  food  seems  to 
be  wholly  insects. 

This  kinglet  goes  north  about  the  middle  of  April  and  re- 
turns again  about  the  first  of  October. 

291.  (749.)     REGULUS  CALENDULA    (Linn.).     12. 

Ruby-crowned   Kinglet. 

Synonyms:      Motacilla  calendula. 

Ruby-crown,    Ruby-crowned    Wren,    Ruby-crowned    Warbler. 
Kirtland,  Ohio  Geol.  Surv.,  1838,  163,  183. 

The  Ruby-crowned  Kinglet  is  rather  more  common 
during  its  migrations  than  the  Golden-crowned,  but  it  does 
not  remain  during  the  winter,  nor  is  there  any  record  of  its 
breeding  within  the  state.  It  is  found  in  the  same  situations 
as  the  Golden-crowned,  both  appearing  in  our  parks  and 
orchards  in  spring  and  autumn.  The  Ruby-crowned  has  a 
louder  voice  than  its  cousin  ,and  may  be  more  readily  found 
on  that  account.  The  food  is  the  same  as  that  of  the  other 
species. 

This  kinglet  reaches  Ohio  about  the  middle  of  April  and 
remains  four  weeks,  returning  about  October  1  and  pass- 
ing south  in  about  three  weeks. 

Subfamily  POLIOPTILIN^E.     Gnatcatchers. 

292.  (751.)     POLIPOTILA  C^RULEA    (Linn.).     11. 

Blue-gray   Gnatcatcher. 

Synonyms:      Sylvia      caerulea,      Sylvania      casrulea,      Motacilla 

caerulea. 

Blue-gray  Flycatcher,  Little  Blue-gray  Flycatcher. 
Kirtland,  Ohio  Geol.  Surv.,  1838,  163. 

The  Gnatcatcher  is  a  fairly  common  summer  resident  in 
many  localities,  but  less  common  in  others.  It  is  found  in 


PASSERES TURDIDyE.    .  207 

brushy  woods,  nesting  well  up  in  the  trees.  It  is  so  unwary 
that  a  near  approach  is  easy,  even  if  the  birds  do  not  come 
near  to  inspect  you.  The  delicate  little  song  carries  well 
and  must  arrest  the  attention  of  the  unobserving.  As  the 
name  suggests,  it  feeds  upon  flying  insects,  but  also  gleans 
from  leaves  and  branches. 

One  might  expect  so  small  and  apparently  delicate  a 
bird  to  tarry  in  the  south  late,  but  it  reaches  Lorain  county 
as  early  as  the  first  week  in  April  in  favorable  seasons.  It 
apparently  passes  south  again  late  in  September,  but  au- 
tumn records  are  not  wholly  satisfactory. 

Family  TURDIDVE.     Thrushes,  Robins,  Bluebirds. 

The  Thrushes  have  been  placed  at  the  top  of  the  bird 
branch  because  of  their  musical  ability.  It  does  not  seem 
likely  that  they  will  remain  there  long,  because  their  struct- 
ure pretty  clearly  points  to  a  lower  place.  But  wherever 
they  may  finally  rest  in  classification  they  will  never  cease  to 
attract  the  earnest  attention  of  all  those  who  love  good  bird 
music.  Added  to  this  aesthetic  value  of  the  thrushes,  there  is 
their  undoubted  usefulness  economically.  For  the  most 
part  they  are  woods  birds,  but  during  the  migrations  most 
of  them  may  be  seen  in  the  shade  trees  or  in  the  back  yards 
which  have  been  left  bushy.  Robin  and  Bluebird  are  too 
familiar  to  call  for  any  remarks  of  mine.  They  need  no- 
added  encouragement  to  live  with  us,  but  with  a  little  en- 
couragement the  Wood  Thrush,  that  "Nightingale  of 
America,"  may  easily  be  induced  to  make  its  nest  in  the- 
back  orchard,  from  whence  he  will  give  you  a  charming  ser- 
enade twice  each  day  during  the  summer  season. 

293.     (755.)     HYLOCICHLA  MUSTELINA    (Gmel.V     1. 
Wood  Thrush. 

Synonyms:      Turdus  mustelinus. 

Wood    Robin,    Wood    Nightingale,    American    Song    Thrush, 
Song  Thrush. 

Kirtland,  Ohio  Geol.  Surv.,  1838,  163. 


208  BIRDS   OF   OHIO. 

The  Wood  Thrush  is  a  common  summer  bird  in  all  parts 
of  the  state.  It  announces  its  arrival  with  a  burst  of  song, 
and  may  be  heard  singing-  well  into  August.  Brushy 
woods  or  small  second  growth  seem  to  be  preferred  for 
nesting-places.  It  is  not  so  much  a  bird  of  thorny  tangles 
as  the  Catbird,  preferring  a  growth  of  young  trees.  Some 
make  their  way  into  the  towns  and  villages,  nesting  in  the 
orchards  and  berry  patches  in  back  lots.  During  the  sum- 
mer of  1902,  a  pair  successfully  reared  a  brood  writhin  five 
rods  of  the  Chapel  building  on  the  Oberlin  campus. 

The  food  of  this  thrush  is  very  largely  such  insects  and 
worms  as  may  be  found  on  the  ground  among  the  leaves. 
It  has  not  been  accused  of  eating  either  fruit  or  garden  veg- 
etables. Its  beautiful  song  adds  to  its  usefulness  a  charm 
which  every  true  bird  lover  cannot  but  wish  to  make  a  part 
-of  his  summer  life. 

Wood  Thrush  comes  to  Ohio  -during  the  last  days  of 
April  and  remains  well  into  September,  but  is  silent  during 
the  last  weeks  of  its  stay. 

£94.     (756.)     HYLOCICHLA  FUSCESCENS     (Steph.).     2. 
Wilson  Thrush. 

Synonyms:     Turdus  fuscescens,  T.  wilsonii. 

Veery,  Tawny  Thrush,  Nightingale. 
Kirtland,  Ohio  Geol.  Surv.,  1838,  163. 

The  Veery  is  much  less  common  than  the  Wood  Thrush, 
but  during  the  migrations  may  be  fairly  common.  Occa- 
sionally a  few  remain  to  breed  even  south  to  our  southern 
border.  In  the  northern  tier  of  counties  it  is  regularly  found 
all  summer,  but  in  small  numbers.  Its  vocal  powers  are  of 
an  entirely  different  order  from  the  Wood  Thrush,  being 
rather  weird  than  beautiful.  It  lives  in  close  company  with 
the  Wood  Thrush,  apparently  nesting  in  much  the  same 
localities.  The  food  habits  do  not  seem  to  be  materially 
different. 

Wilson  Thrush  is  usually  a  few  days  later  than  the 
Wood  Thrush,  in  spring,  and  departs  a  little  earlier. 


PASSERES TURDID.E.  209 

295.  (757.)     HYLOCICHLA  ALICIJE    (Baird).     3. 

Gray-cheeked  Thrush. 
Synonyms:     Turdus  swainsoni  var.  aliciae,  T.  alicise. 

Alice's   Thrush. 
Baird,  Rev.   N.  Am.  Birds,  1864,  23. 

Dr.  Wheaton  records  this  thrush  as  a  "Common  spring 
and  fall  migrant."  It  has  been  universally  reported  as  a 
rare  migrant.  I  have  no  doubt  that  closer  acquaintance 
with  it  will  prove  it  to  be  less  rare.  It  is  not  easy  to  distin- 
guish between  this  and  the  next  species.  I  have  found  it 
only  in  the  brushy  woods  in  company  with  the  Olive-backed. 
It  appears  to  keep  closer  to  the  woods  than  the  Olive- 
backed,  feeding  there  on  or  near  the  ground.  Its  food 
probably  consists  of  insects  and  worms  largely. 

Migration  records  are  not  satisfactory.  Lorain 
county  dates  fall  close  to  May  10,  which  is  apparently 
near  the  end  of  the  spring  migration.  I  have  no  autumn 
dates. 

296.  (758a.)     HYLOCICHLA  SWAINSONI   (Cab.).     4. 

Olive-backed  Thrush. 

Synonyms:     Turdus   swainsoni. 

Swainson's  Thrush,  Little  Thrush,  Swamp  Robin. 

Wheaton,  Ohio  Agri.  Report,  1860   (1861),  379,  hypothetical,  Re- 
print, 5. 

"Abundant  migrant"  characterizes  this  species  in  a  few 
localities,  as  it  apparently  did  for  Columbus,  at  least  when 
Dr.  Wheaton  was  working.  At  most  localities  it  is  only 
common.  This  thrush  is  often  seen  in  the  parks  and  shade 
trees  during  its  migration,  where  I  have  seen  it  feeding  upon 
the  tender  shoots  of  trees,  probably  the  young  buds  of  the 
elms.  Rev.  Mr.  Henninger  found  it  eating  gum  berries  in 
September.  Its  food  must  consist  of  insects  cap- 
tured on  the  ground  or  in  trees  indifferently.  I  have 
often  seen  it  making  sallies  after  flying  insects,  much  after 
the  manner  of  the  flycatchers. 

This  thrush  appears  at  Oberlin  during  the  last  five  days 
of  April  and  has  gone  north  by  May  23.  It  returns  early 
in  September  and  tarries  about  four  weeks. 


210  BIRDS   OF   OHIO. 

297.  (759b.)     HYLOCICHLA  GUTTATA  PALLASII    (Cab.).  5. 

Hermit  Thrush. 

Synonyms:     Hylocichla  unalascae  pallasi,  Turdus  pallasi,  T.  mi- 
nor, T.  solitarius,  T.  aonalaschkae  pallasii. 
Solitary    Thrush,    Rufous-tailed     Thrush,    Eastern    Hermit 

Thrush,   Swamp  Robin,  Ground   Swamp  Robin. 
Kirtiand,  Ohio  Geol.  Surv.,  1838,  163. 

This  thrush  must  be  looked  for  early  in  April  or  late  in 
March,  and  for  that  reason  may  be  overlooked  by  many  stu- 
dents of  the  migrations.  It  remains  in  the  deeper  woods 
during  its  stay,  and  is  usually  silent.  I  have  heard  it  sing 
on  only  one  occasion.  Dr.  Langdon  reports  the  breeding 
of  this  species  in  the  vicinity  of  Cincinnati,  on  the  authori- 
ty of  Mr.  Charles  Dury.  It  appears  to  be  the  only  breeding 
record  for  the  state. 

The  food  habits  do  not  seem  to  differ  materially  from 
those  of  the  other  thrushes,  except  that  it  is  found  earlier 
and  does  not  venture  into  Our  parks  and  gardens. 

As  suggested  above,  this  thrush  arrives  early  in  April, 
usually  departing  about  the  time  the  other  thrushes  arrive. 
It  returns  in  October  and  is  present  but  a  short  time. 

298.  (761.)     MERULA  MIGRATORIA    (Linn.).     6. 

American  Robin. 

Synonyms:     Turdus  migratorius. 

Robin,    Robin    Redbreast,    Migratory    Thrush,    Red-breasted 

Thrush. 
Kirtland,  Ohio  Geol.  Surv.,  1838,  163. 

Robin  is  a  common  resident  in  the  southern  counties, 
much  less  common  in  the  middle  parts  and  rare  as  a  resi- 
dent in  the  northern  counties  in  favorable  situations.  As  a 
summer  resident  it  is  abundant  from  the  middle  of  the  state 
north,  but  less  so  south.  While  a  few  individuals  remain 
all  winter  well  north  it  should  be  regarded  as  a  spring  ar- 
rival and  summer  resident  there.  'During  the  breeding  sea- 
son it  is  to  be  found  everywhere  except  in  the  deep  woods 
and  swamps.  During  the  molting  season  it  retires  to  the 
deep  woods  in  some  numbers,  but  many  still  remain 'about 


PASSERES TURDID^E.  211 

our  lawns.  It  roosts  at  night  with  the  blackbirds  in  consid- 
erable numbers,  or  forms  roosts  of  its  own. 

The  food  of  the  Robin  is  varied  according  to  the  season 
largely.  Prof.  F.  E.  L.  Beal  has  made  a  careful  study  of 
the  food  of  this  bird  and  it  is-  worth  while  quoting  exten- 
sively from  his  report  here. 

"An  examination  of  330  stomachs  shows  that  over  42  per 
cent,  of  its  food  is  animal  matter,  principally  insects,  while 
the  remainder  is  made  up  largely  of  small  fruits  and  ber- 
ries. Over  19  per  cent,  consists  of  beetles,  about  one-third 
of  which  are  useful  ground  beetles,  taken  mostly  in  spring 
and  fall  when  other  insects  are  scarce.  Grasshoppers  make 
up  about  one-tenth  of  the  whole  food,  but  in  August  com- 
prise over  30  per  cent.  Caterpillars  comprise  about  6  per 
cent.,  while  the  rest  of  the  animal  food,  about  7  per  cent.,  is 
made  up  of  various  insects,  with  a  few  spiders,  snails  and 
angle  worms.  All  the  grasshoppers,  caterpillars  and  bugs, 
with  a  large  proportion  of  the  beetles,  are  injurious,  and  it 
is  safe  to  say  that  noxious  insects  comprise  more  than  one- 
third  of  the  Robin's  food. 

"Vegetable  food  forms  nearly  58  per  cent,  of  the  stomach 
contents,  over  47  per  cent,  being  wild  fruits,  and  only  a  lit- 
tle more  than  4  per  cent,  being  possibly  cultivated  varieties. 
Cultivated  fruits  amounting  to  about  25  per  cent,  were  found 
in  the  stomachs  in  June  and  July,  but  only  a  trifle  in  Au- 
gust. Wild  fruit,  on  the  contrary,  is  eaten  in  every  month, 
and  comprises  a  staple  food  during  half  the  year. 

"The  depredations  of  the  Robin  seem  to  be  confined  to 
the  smaller  and  earlier  fruits,  and  few,  if  any,  complaints 
have  been  made  against  it  on  the  score  of  eating  apples, 
peaches,  pears,  grapes,  or  even  late  cherries." 

From  this  it  appears  that  the  Robin  is  one  of  our  most 
useful  birds  and  should  be  rigidly  protected. 

The  Robin  is  one  of  the  first  birds  to  greet  us  in  spring 
and  among  the  last  to  depart  south.  Dates  of  arrival  for 
Oberlin  fall  very  nearly  on  the  first  of  March.  The  last  are 
seen  about  the  middle  of  November.  A  few  remain  all  win- 
ter even  on  the  lake  shore. 


212  BIRDS   OF   OHIO. 

299.     (766.)     SIALIA  SIALIS    (Linn.).     10. 
Bluebird. 

Synonyms:      Saxicola  sialis,  Sialia  wilsonii,  Motacilla  sialis. 
Eastern  Bluebird,  Blue  Robin,   Blue  Redbreast,  Blue  War- 
bler,   Cottage   Warbler,    Blue-backed    Redbreast   Warbler, 
Common  Bluebird    Wilson's  Bluebird,  American  Bluebird. 

Kirtland,  Ohio  Geol.  Surv.,  1838,  163. 

Bluebird  is  familiar  to  all  who  ever  look  at  birds.  Pre- 
vious to  that  disastrous  cold  winter — 1894-5— when  the 
Bluebirds  were  all  but  exterminated  in  Kentucky  and  Ten- 
nessee, it  was  decidedly  common  all  summer.  Its  recovery 
from  that  calamity  has  been  steady  and  rapid  until  it 
has  become  common  again.  Previous  to  that  time  there 
were  no  records  for  its  wintering  in  northern  Ohio,  but 
since  then  it  is  regularly  found  all  winter  in  small  numbers. 
The  survivors  were  a  hardier  race  which  has  pushed  its 
range  farther  north.  Bluebirds  are  found  everywhere  ex- 
cept in  the  deep  woods  during  the  breeding  season.  They 
easily  adapt  themselves  to  the  changing  conditions  due  to 
the  settlement  of  the  country,  and  readily  breed  in  boxes 
erected  for  their  use. 

They  feed  to  a  small  extent  upon  wild  fruits  and  their 
seeds,  but  76  per  cent,  of  the  food  is  animal,  mostly  noxious 
insects.  There  can  be  no  question  of  the  usefulness  of 
Bluebird. 

Robin  and  Bluebird  arrive  very  near  together,  and  tarry 
equally  long  into  November.  The  Bluebird  is  considered 
the  "Harbinger  of  Spring." 


ACCIDENTAL.  213 


ACCIDENTAL. 

The  species  classed  under  this  head  are  such  as  have  wan- 
dered into  the  state  from  regions  considerably  removed 
which  they  regularly  inhabit  at  some  time  of  year.  Their 
presence  in  the  state  cannot  be  accounted  for  in  any  other 
way  than  by  supposing  that  some  accident  is  responsible 
for  their  appearance  in  a  place  so  far  removed  from  their 
regular  habitat,  and  therefore  they  cannot  be  expected  to 
occur  again  under  normal  conditions. 


ORDER  PYGOPODES.     Diving  Birds. 

Family  ALCID.E.     Auks,  Murres,  and  Puffins. 

The  only  representative  of  this  salt-water  inhabiting 
family  is  the  Briinnich  Murre,  which  was  probably  blown 
across  Canada  by  a  severe  northeast  storm.  It  is  accidental 
in  the  state,  and  so  would  not  figure  in  the  economy  of  the 
state. 

1.     (31.)     URIA  LOMVIA    (Linn.).     — . 
Briinnich  Murre. 

Butler,  reported  by  B.  L.  Moseley  as  occurring  at  Sandusky  on 
Lake  Erie,  Auk,  1897,  198. 

The  records  that  have  come  to  me  of  the  capture  of 
specimens  of  this  species  in  Ohio  are :  Ashtabula  1,  Lake  2, 
Lorain  4,  Erie  3,  and  likely  Ottawa  counties,  all  during  the 
last  half  of  December,  1896.  Fairport,  December  18; 
Sandusky,  December  19.  The  Lorain  and  Ashtabula  rec- 
ords are  given  as  late  December,  probably  about  Christ- 
mas. It  is  not  unlikely  that  individuals  of  this  large  inland 
flight  penetrated  to  some  of  the  interior  waters  of  this  state, 
but  if  so,  records  are  lacking. 

A  wanderer  from  the  northeast. 


214  BIRDS  OF  OHIO. 

ORDER  TUBINARES.     Tube-nosed  Swimmers. 

The  order  is  represented  by  a  single  species,  three  indi- 
viduals of  which  were  probably  blown  inland  by  a  severe 
southeast  storm,  reaching  Cincinnati  on  the  Ohio  river. 
Being  wholly  accidental  in  the  state,  and  unlikely  to  occur 
again  except  under  similar  conditions,  the  species  does  not 
figure  economically. 

Family  PROCELLARIID^:.     Petrels,  etc. 

2.       (98.)       ^STRELATA    HASITATA      (Kuhl.).       — . 

Black-capped  Petrel. 
Synonym:     Procellaria  hasitata. 
Lindahl,  Auk,  XVI,  1899,  75. 

This  reference  may  not  be  earlier  than  the  Seventh  Annual 
Report,  Ohio  State  Academy  Sciences,  56,  same  author,  but  ab- 
sence of  a  specific  date  in  that  publication  makes  the  above 
reference  take  precedence. 

Two  specimens  were  taken  alive  on  October  5,  1898,  on 
the  Ohio  shore,  and  one  on  October  4,  the  preceding  day,  on 
the  Kentucky  shore.  All  died  in  captivity  and  found  their 
way  into  the  collection  of  the  Cin.  Soc.  Nat.  Hist.  All  were 
in  a  starved  condition,  and  therefore  easily  captured.  Dr. 
Lindahl  says  that  a  severe  northeast  storm  probably  drove 
them  inland. 

Accidental  from  the  east. 

ORDER  STEGANOPODES.    Totipalmate  Birds. 
Family  FREGATID^E.     Man-o'-War  Bird. 

But  a  single  specimen  of  the  single  species  comprising 
this  family  has  been  taken  in  the  state,  reference  to  which  is 
given  under  the  species. 

3.     (128.)     FREGATA  AQUILA  Linn.    — . 

Man-o'-War  Bird. 
Synonyms:      Pelecanus   aquilus,   Tachypetes   aquilus. 

Frigate,  Frigate  Pelican,  Hurricane  Bird. 
Davie,  Nests  and  Eggs  of  N.  Am.  Birds,  1898,  74. 


ACCIDENTAL.  215 

The  single  specimen  for  Ohio,  according  to  Oliver  Davie, 
in  the  above  reference,  "is  now  in  the  possession  of  Dr. 
Renshaw,  of  Sugar  Grove,  Ohio,  and  was  taken  by  Mr. 
Emmet  Adcock,  in  Fairfield  county,  Ohio,  in  the  spring  of 

1880." 

ORDER  ANSERES.    Ducks,  Geese,  Swans. 
Subfamily  AN  ATI  NJE. 

4.  (136.)     MARECA   PENELOPE     (Linn.).    — . 

Widgeon. 

Synonyms:     Anas  penelope. 

European  Widgeon. 
Jones,  The  Wilson  Bulletin,  1902,  71. 

The  specimen  here  recorded  was  captured  on  the  Lick- 
ing reservoir,  March  29,  1902,  by  Mr.  Peter  Hayden,  of 
Columbus.  The  specimen  was  given  to  Mr.  Irving  A. 
Field  who  mounted  it  for  the  museum  of  Dennison  Univer- 
sity, Granville,  Ohio,  who  reported  this  and  another  speci- 
men captured  there  April  1. 

Accidental  from  the  east. 

5.  (141.)       QURQUEDULA    CYANOPTERA      (Vieill.).       . 

Cinnamon  Teal. 

Synonyms:     Anas  cyanoptera. 

Davie,  Nests  and  Eggs  of  N.  Am.  Birds,  1898,  81. 

"On  the  4th  of  April,  1895,  a  fine  male  of  this  species  was 

killed at  the  Licking  county  reservoir,  by  William 

Harlow."  The  specimen  is  now  in  Mr.  Davie's  private 
collection. 

A  wanderer  from  the  west. 

ORDER  HERODIONES.     Bitterns,  Herons,  Storks, 
Ibises,  Egrets. 

SUBORDER  IBIDES.     Spoonbills  and  Ibises. 
Family  IBIDID^E.     Ibises. 

A  single  species  of  this  family  rarely  wanders  north  to 
Ohio. 


216  BIRDS  OF  OHIO. 

6.  (186.)     PLEGADIS   AUTUMNALIS    (Hasselq.).     193. 

Glossy  Ibis. 

Synonyms:     Plegadis  falcinellus,  Ibis  ordii,  Ibis  falcinellis,  Ibis 

falcinellus   var.   ordii,   Tringa   autumnalis. 
Black  Snipe,  Black  Curlew. 

Dr.  Wheaton  records  the  only  specimen  of  this  species 
which  has  ever  been  taken  in  Ohio,  as  follows :  "Dr.  Kirt- 
land,  after  quoting  from  the  Boston  Traveler  (June  28), 
1850,  an  account  of  the  capture  of  this  species  at  Cam- 
bridge and  Middleboro,  Massachusetts,  and  Middletown, 
Connecticut,  says  :  To  the  above  we  would  add  that  two  of 
these  interesting  birds,  probably  a  pair,  were  seen  two  years 
since  near  Fairport,  Lake  county.  One  of  them,  a  beauti- 
ful male,  was  shot  by  Mr.  Pruden,  and  forwarded  to  us. 
It  was  duly  skinned  and  mounted,  and  may  now  be  seen 
alongside  of  a  Scarlet  Ibis,  from  the  banks  of  the  Amazon, 
in  the  second  case  south  of  the  door,  in  the  cabinet  of  Nat. 
Hist.,  at  Cleve.  Med.  Col.'  " 

A  wanderer  from  the  south. 

ORDER   PALUDICOL.^.      Cranes,   Rails,   etc. 
Family  GRUID^:.     Cranes. 

7.  (205.)     GRUS  CANADENSIS    (Linn.).     — . 

Little  Brown  Crane. 

Synonyms:     Ardea  canadensis. 

Davie,  Nests  and  Eggs  of  North  American  Birds,  Fifth  Edition, 
1898,  121. 

"I  mounted  a  specimen  of  this  bird  which  was  taken  in 
the  spring  of  1884,  from  a  flock  of  seven  or  eight  birds  near 
Springfield,  Ohio.  It  is  a  rare  migrant  in  the  state."  This 
is  the  only  state  record,  and  must  be  regarded  as  strictly 
accidental.  It  is  not  given  by  Butler  as  a  bird  of  Indiana, 
and  is  regarded  as  a  doubtful  species  in  northern  Michigan. 

A  wanderer  from  the  west. 


ACCIDENTAL.  217 

ORDER   LIMICOL^E.      Shore   Birds. 
Family  SCOLOPACID.E.     Snipes,  Sandpipers,  etc. 

8.     (260.)     PAVONCELLA  PUGNAX   (Linn.).     [219.] 
Ruff. 

Synonyms:     Machetes  pugnax,  Trigna  pugnax,  Philomacus  pug- 

nax. 

Reeve,  Combatant,  Gambetta. 
Wheaton,  Bull.  Nuttall  Orn.  Club,  II,  1877,  83. 

The  above  citation  is  of  a  specimen  obtained  by  Dr. 
Theodore  Jasper,  at  Licking  reservoir,  November  10,  1872. 
Rev.  W.  L.  Dawson  informs  me  that  there  is  another  speci- 
men in  the  collection  of  the  Ohio  State  University  bearing 
date  of  April  28,  1878,  taken  at  Columbus. 

The  credit  for  the  preservation  and  final  identification  of 
the  first  specimen  belongs  to  Dr.  Wheaton. 

A  wanderer  from  the  east. 

ORDER  RAPTORES.    Birds  of  Prey. 
Family  FALCONID^.    Hawks,  etc. 

9.(337b.)     BUTEO  BOREALIS  CALURUS    (Cass.).     — . 

Western   Red-tail. 
Synonyms:     Buteo  calurus. 
Black  Red-tail. 

A  specimen  in  the  collection  of  the  Ohio  State  Universi- 
ty proves  to  belong  to  this  form.  It  was  captured  Novem- 
6er  20,  1875,  by  Theodore  Jasper,  presumably  near  Colum- 
bus, since  it  is  labeled  "  Franklin  Co."  in  Dr.  Jasper's  hand- 
writing. It  is  labeled  a  female. 

ORDER  PICI.     Woodpeckers. 

Family  PICID^E. 

10.     (395.)     DRYOBATES  BOREALIS    (Vieill.).    — . 

Red-cockaded  Woodpecker. 

Synonyms:     Picus  borealis.  i 

Pine-bark  Woodpecker.  "Sapsucker." 


218  BIRDS  OF  OHIO. 

A  specimen  in  the  Ohio  State  University  collection  bears 
the  following  inscription:  "Picus  borealis.  March  15,  1872. 
Loc.  Columbus,  O.  It  was  in  company  with  another  of  its 
own  kind  and  2  or  3  sapsuckers,  nuthatches,  etc.,  and  shot 
from  a  high  tree  between  the  canal  and  Scioto  river."  It 
proves  to  be  a  typical  specimen  of  this  species. 

ORDER  PASSERES.     Perching  Birds. 
Family  TYRANNHXE.     Flycatchers. 

11.  (443.)     MUSCIVORA  FORFICATA    (Gmel.).     — . 

Scissor-tailed    Flycatcher. 
Synonyms:      Muscicapa  forficata,  Milvulus  forficatus. 

"Fork-tailed  Flycatcher,"  Swallow-tailed  Flycatcher. 
Davie,  Nests  and  Eggs  of  North  American  Birds,  Fifth  Edition, 

1898,  297. 

"A  male  specimen  of  the  Scissor-tailed  Flycatcher  was 
taken  near  Marietta,  O.,  May  20,  1894,  by  Mr.  Frank  H. 
Welder,  the  skin  of  which  is  now  in  his  collection." 
A  wanderer  from  the  southwest. 

Family  ICTERID^S.     Blackbirds,  etc. 

12.  (497.)     XANTHOCEPHALUS  XANTHOCEPHALUS 

(Bonap.).        [116.] 
Yellow-headed    Blackbird. 
Synonyms:       Xanthocephalus     icterocephalus,     Icterus     xantho- 

cephalus. 

Wheaton,   Ohio  Agri.   Report,   1874,   567.     Mentioned  by   Coues, 
Birds  N.  W.  as  probable  in  Ohio. 

There  is  a  specimen  in  the  collection  of  F.  Frey,  of  San- 
dusky.  A  flock  of  six  passed  over  Oberlin  just  above  the 
treetops,  October  9,  1896. 

One  is  reported  from  McConnellsville,  Morgan  county, 
by  Mr.  E.  J.  Arrick. 

These,  with  the  statement  of  Dr.  Wheaton  that  a  pair  was 
seen  by  Mr.  W.  R.  Limpert,  in  the  summer  of  1873,  near 
Groveport,  Franklin  county,  exhaust  the  Ohio  records  that 
I  have  been  able  to  find. 

A  wanderer  from  the  west. 


INTRODUCED.  219 

Family  FRINGILLHXE.     Sparrows,  etc. 

13.  (553.)       ZONOTRICHIA    QUERULA    (Nutt.).       . 

Harris  Sparrow. 

Synonyms:     Fringilla  querula. 

Hooded  Crown  Sparrow,  Black-hood  Sparrow. 
Davie,  Nests  and  Eggs  of  N.  Am.  Birds,  1898,  337. 

"On  the  29th  of  April,  1889,  Mr.  J.  E.  Gould  shot  a  spec- 
imen of  Harris  Sparrow  two  miles  north  of  Columbus,  Ohio. 
Four  or  five  others  were  observed  feeding  in  a  thicket  in 
company  with  the  White-throated  Sparrow,  Z.  albicollis" 
The  specimen  was  presented  to  Mr.  Davie,  and  his  identifi- 
cation corroborated  by  Mr.  C.  F.  Batchelder.  The  skin  is 
now  in  the  collection  of  the  Ohio  State  University.  This 
small  group  must  have  wandered  far  out  of  their  way  in 
the  northward  migration. 

A  wanderer  from  the  west. 

Family  MNIOTILTID^.     Wood  Warblers. 

14.  (672a.)     DENDROICA  PALMARUM   HYPOCHRYSEA 

Ridgw.    — . 
•Yellow  Palm  Warbler. 
McCormick,  Auk,  IX,  1892,  397. 

This  specimen,  captured  on  April  10  (not  16  as  in  the 
Auk,  1892),  remains  the  only  record  for  the  state.  It  was 
taken  by  Mr.  G.  D.  Wilder,  at  Oberlin. 

A  wanderer  from  the  east. 

Family  PARID^E.     Titmice,  etc. 

15.  (729.)      SITTA  PUSILLA    Lath.      [19.] 

Brown-headed   Nuthatch. 
Kirtland,  Ohio  Geol.  Surv.,  1838,  164,  183. 

Dr.  Kirtland's  statement,  "I  once  killed  a  specimen  in  the 
northern  part  of  the  state,"  remains  the  only  instance  of 
its  occurrence  within  our  limits. 


220          .'•-•  BIRDS  OF  OHIO. 

INTRODUCED. 

Of  the  four  species  which  have  been  introduced  into 
Ohio  but  two  are  to  be  found  now.  The  English  Sparrow 
has  become  not  only  a  nuisance,  but  a  menace  to  the  bal- 
ance of  nature  between  the  insects  and  those  birds  which 
feed  upon  insects,  by  crowding  the  native  birds  out  in  many 
instances.  It  is  not  at  all  certain  that  the  Mongolian  or 
Ring-necked  Pheasant  may  not,  ere  long,  also  prove  a  men- 
ace to  the  agricultural  interests  by  a  too  great  increase  in 
numbers.  Happily  the  other  two  foreign  species  were  un- 
able to  gain  a  foothold  in  our  state.  They  might  not  have 
proved  injurious  if  they  had  succeeded  in  becoming  accli- 
matized, but  it  is  never  safe  to  make  predictions.  Recent 
legislation  forbids  the  importation  of  other  birds  and  mam- 
mals into  the  United  States  except  under  proper  super- 
vision. It  is  not  likely  that  we  shall  have  to  learn  over 
again  the  folly  of  precipitate  action  of  this  sort. 

ORDER  GALLING. 

Family  PHASIANID^:. 

1.  «  PHASIANUS  TORQUATUS. 

Ring-necked  Pheasant. 
Synonyms:     Mongolian  Pheasant. 

Successfully  introduced  into  Allen,  Ashtabula,  Crawford, 
Erie,  Hamilton,  Hardin,  Madison,  Morgan,  Scioto,  and 
Summit  counties,  and  probably  others. 

ORDER  PASSERES. 
Family  FRINGILLID^:. 

2.  PASSER  DOMESTICUS    (Linn.),     [unnumbered.] 

English   Sparrow. 

Synonyms:     Pyrgita  domestica,  Fringilla  domestica. 

European  House  Sparrow,  Philip  Sparrow,  Parasite  Gamin, 

Hoodlum,   Tramp,   The   Sparrow. 
Wheaton,  Ohio  Agri.  Report,  1874,  566. 


EXTINCT.  221 

The  first  importation  of  this  pest  into  the  state  directly 
from  Europe  was  into  Cleveland,  in  1869,  twenty  pairs. 
During  the  same  year  thirty-three  pairs  were  taken  from 
New  York  to  Cincinnati  and  Warren.  Then  followed  im- 
portations into  Marietta,  1870,  Coshoctbn  and  Portsmouth, 
1874,  Steubenville,  about  1880  -or  1881,  Wapakoneta, 
about  1882,  which  seems  to  have  been  the  last  importation. 
Since  that  time  it  has  spread  well  over  the  state,  in  the  more 
settled  districts,  even  invading  the  country  places  and  farm 
buildings,  until  the  tendency  to  nest  in  the  woods  grows 
strong.  About  Oberlin  several  pairs  have  already  invaded 
the  trees  rightfully  belonging  to  Bluebirds  and  Crested  Fly- 
catchers, in  the  woods  a  mile  from  the  village. 


EXTINCT. 

But  two  native  and  two  introduced  species  have  become 
extinct  in  historic  times.  At  least  three  others  are  rapidly 
approaching  extinction :  these  are  Wild  Turkey,  Passenger 
Pigeon,  and  Swallow-tailed  Kite.  It  was  supposed  that 
these  would  prove  extinct,  but  records  of  occurrence  with- 
in the  past  ten  years  make  it  necessary  to  retain  them  for 
the  present.  The  causes  for  the  disappearance  of  these  two 
native  birds  and  the  great  decrease  of  the  others  are  not 
far  to  seek.  They  have  been  mercilessly  hunted  and  their 
natural  breeding  places  have  been  destroyed  in  the  settle- 
ment of  the  state.  Lacking  the  ability  to  change  their  hab- 
its with  the  changing  conditions,  it  was  inevitable  that  they 
should  die  out. 

ORDER  CALLING. 
Subfamily  TETRAONIISLE. 

1.     (305.)     TYMPANUCHUS  AMERICANUS     (Reich.).     183. 
Prairie  Hen. 

Synonyms:     Cupidonia    cupidio,    C.  americanus,    Tetrao  cupido. 
Pinnated  Grouse,  Prairie  Chicken. 


222  BIRDS    OF    OHIO. 

The  last  trace  I  have  been  able  to  find  of  the  presence  of 
this  bird  in  the  state  is  that  of  Prof.  E.  L.  Moseley,  who  re- 
ports a  capture  in  1880,  near  Sandusky.  '  It  is  now  ex- 
tinct within  the  state. 

.Apparently  this  bird  has  always  been  confined  to  the 
northwestern  prairies  of  the  state,  and  can  hardly  have  been 
common  at  any  time  within  the  history  of  the  state  as  a 
state. 

ORDER  PSITTACI.     Parrots. 

The  single  species  representing  this  order  in  Ohio  is  now 
extinct  in  the 


Family   PSITTACID^:.      Parrots   and   Paroquets. 

2.     (382.)     CONURUS  CAROLINENSIS  (Linn.). 
Carolina  Paroquet. 

Synonyms:      Psittacus  carolinensis. 

Orange-headed   Parrot,  Carolina  Parakeet,  Carolina  Parrot, 
Parakeet,  Illinois  Parrot. 

Wilson,  Am.  Orn.,  Ill,  1811,  89. 

It  is  probably  true  that  this  almost  extinct  species  was  an 
inhabitant  of  the  larger  part  of  Ohio  during  the  first  decade 
of  the  19th  century  and  previously,  reaching  Lake  Erie  at 
its  western  end  at  least.  In  1831  Audubon  remarked  upon 
the  rapid  decline  in  numbers.  Later  than  that  the  birds 
were  largely  confined  to  the  southwest  corner  of  the  state, 
occurring  in  small  and  scattered  flocks  as  far  north  as  Sum- 
mit county  up  to  1853.  "In  July,  1862,  a  flock  numbering 
from  twenty-five  to  thirty  made  their  appearance  in  the 
Capitol  Square  of  Columbus,"  remaining  a  couple  of  hours 
in  the  elm  trees  in  front  of  the  residence  of  Wm.  S.  Sulli- 
vant,  LL.D.,  who  reported  this  occurrence  to  Dr.  Wheaton. 

Mr.  Oliver  Davie  says  :  "The  last  record  we  have  of  this 
bird  being  taken  in  Ohio  is  October  9,  1884.  A  specimen 
was  shot  by  Mr.  A.  Lee  Hoskinson,  near  Newark,  and 
mounted  by  S.  G.  Hamilton  .....  It  is  still  in  Mr.  Hoskin- 


EXTINCT.  223 

son's  possession."    It  is  not  impossible  that  this  was  an  es- 
caped cage-bird. 

There  can  be  no  doubt  that  this  belongs  to  the  extinct 
species  of  the  state. 

ORDER  PASSERES.     Perching  Birds. 
Family  ALAUDID^E.     Larks. 

3.  (473.)     ALAUDA  ARVENSIS    Linn,      [unnumbered] 

Skylark. 

Synonym:     European  Skylark. 
Langdon,  Journal  Gin.  Soc.  Nat  Hist.,  I,  1878,  111. 

The  first  attempt  to  introduce  this  European  species  into 
the  state  was  by  a  Mr.  Bateham  in  the  autumn  of  1851, 
when  a  cage  of  them  was  liberated  in  the  grove  back  of  the 
Lunatic  Asylum,  Cincinnati.  Colonel  Harris  stated  that 
these  shortly  disappeared.  Another  more  successful  attempt 
seems  to  have  been  made  during  the  seventies,  since  Dr. 
Langdon,  in  his  list  of  1878,  states  that  they  had  been  found 
breeding  in  the  outskirts  of  Cincinnati.  This  colony  must 
have  disappeared  shortly  after  Dr.  Langdon's  list  was  pub- 
lished, for  nothing  more  was  known  about  them  when  Dr. 
Wheaton  published  his  catalogue  in  1882.  Skylarks  are  un- 
known in  the  state  now. 

Family  FRINGILLID^:.     Sparrows,  etc. 

4.  CARDUELIS  CARDUELIS    (Linn.).     — . 

Goldfinch. 

Synonyms:     Fringilla  carduelis. 

European  Goldfinch,  Thistlefinch. 
Langdon,  Journal  Gin.  Soc.  Nat.  Hist.,  IV,  1881,  342. 

Introduced  at  Cincinnati  during  the  years  1872-4.  Ap- 
parently they  did  not  thrive,  since  nothing  has  been  heard 
from  them  since  their  introduction. 


224:  BIRDS  OF  OHIO. 


HYPOTHETICAL. 

The  species  included  under  this  head  are  mostly  those 
whose  known  range  should  cover  Ohio  either  during  their 
migrations  or  during  their  regular  wanderings,  but  which 
have  not  yet  been  found  in  the  state.  Two  of  the  species 
are  here  placed  because  they  are  regarded  as  hypothetical 
forms  in  the  United  States.  The  Cincinnati  Warbler  is 
still  represented  by  a  single  specimen,  and  Brewster 
Warbler  has  not  yet  been  given  the  distinction  of  a  sub- 
specific  rank.  It  will  probably  be  some  time  before  the 
question  of  hybridism  as  applying  to  these  two  forms  is 
settled.  I  have  deemed  it  wise  to  place  here  some  species 
included  in  Dr.  Wheaton's  catalogue  on  what  appears  now 
to  be  insufficient  evidence.  It  is  not  enough  to  say  that  a 
species  is  or  has  been  found ;  the  statement  must  always  be 
verified  by  specimens  where  the  species  is  at  all  rare. 
No  record  should  be  allowed  to  stand  unquestioned  without 
the  evidence  of  a  specimen  to  prove  that  the  species  has  oc- 
curred within  the  state. 

1.  (38.)     STERCORARIUS  LONGICAUDUS   Vieill. 

Long-tailed  Jaeger. 

This  Jaeger  may  pass  across  the  state  in  its  migrations. 

2.  (40.)     RISSA  TRIDACTYLA  (Linn.).    273. 

Kittiwake. 

Syronyms:     Larus  tridactylus. 

Common  Kittiwake. 
Wheaton,  Ohio  Agri.  Report,  1860,  371,  379. 

There  are  two  records  for  Ohio.  That  of  three  speci- 
mens reported  by  Mr.  R.  K.  Winslow  in  Cleveland  harbor, 
clearly  before  the  eighties,  and  the  report  of  Mr.  E.  W. 
Vickers  for  Mahoning  county.  I  am  unable  to  find  evi- 
dence of  the  preservation  of  specimens  of  this  gull.  The 
fact  that  it  is  regarded  as  rare  or  even  doubtful  as  a  winter 
visitor  in  Michigan,  and  has  never  been  found  in  Indiana 


HYPOTHETICAL.  "  225 

nor  in  Pennsylvania,  throws  doubt  upon  any  record  not 
accompanied  by  specimens. 

3.  (42.)     LARUS  GLAUCUS  Briinn. 

Glaucous  Gull.    • 

Arctic  regions,  south  in  winter  to  the  Great  Lakes  and 
Long  Island. 

4.  (65.)     STERNA  MAXIMA    Bodd. 

Royal  Tern. 

Tropical  America  and  warmer  parts  of  North  America, 
casually  northward  to  Massachusetts,  the  Great  Lakes  and 
California. 

5.  (71.)     STERNA  PARADISEA  Briinn. 

Arctic  Tern. 

This  tern  should  be  found  passing  across  the  state  during 
the  migrations. 

6.  (120a.)     PHALACROCORAX       DILOPHUS       FLORIDANUS 

(Aud.).    272a. 
Florida  Cormorant. 

Synonyms:      Graculus  dilophus   var.   floridanus,    G.   floridanus, 

Phalacrocorax  floridanus. 
Water  Turkey. 
Wheaton,  Ohio  Agri.  Report,  1874,  575. 

The  evidence  that  this  form  nested  in  considerable  num- 
bers at  the  St.  Mary's  reservoir  prior  to  1875,  is  not  be- 
yond question. 

7.  (155.)     HISTRIONICUS  HISTRIONICUS  (Linn.). 

Harlequin   Duck. 
Synonyms:     Anas  histrionicus,  Histrionicus  torquatus. 

Admitted  to  Dr.  Wheaton's  list  in  error.  It  may  be 
found  in  the  state. 


226  BIRDS  OF  OHIO. 

8.  (166.)     OIDEMIA  PERSPICILLATA    (Linn.). 

Surf   Scoter. 
Synonyms:     Anas  perspicillata. 

It  is  likely  to  be  found  on  Lake  Erie. 

9.  (173.)     BRANTA  BERNICLA    (Linn.).     246. 

Brant. 

Synonyms:     Bernicla  brenta,  Anser  bernicla,  Anas  bernicla. 

Brant  Goose. 
Kirtland,  Preliminary  Report,  Ohio  Geol.  Surv.,  1838,  67. 

The  lack  of  specimens  from  Ohio  necessitates  placing 
this  goose  on  the  list  of  Hypothetical  species. 

10.  (191.1.)     ARDETTA  NEOXENA    Cory. 

Cory  Least  Bittern. 

If  this  be  a  good  species  it  should  be  found  in  Ohio  as  a 
migrant  and  probably  also  breeding.  It  has  been  found 
breeding  in  Ontario,  hence  its  migration  route  must  cross 
Ohio. 

11.  (222.)     CRYMOPHILUS  FULICARUS    (Linn.).     226. 

Red  Phalarope. 

Synonyms:     Phalaropus  fulicaruis,  Tringa  fulicaria. 

Coot-footed  Tringa,  Gray  Phalarope. 
Wheaton,  Ohio  Agri.  Report,  1861,  380,  hypothetical. 

This  published  record  is  based  upon  the  statement  of  Mr. 
R.  K.  Winslow.  of  Cleveland,  "that  two  or  three  specimens 
had  been  taken  on  Lake  Erie."  There  being  no  other  rec- 
ord, and  no  specimens  preserved,  it  seems  necessary  to 
place  the  species  in  the  Hypothetical  list. 

12.  (392.)     CAMPEPHILUS  PRINCIPALIS    (Linn.). 

Ivory-billed   Woodpecker. 

Synonym:     Picus  principalis. 

White-billed   Logcock,   White-billed   Woodcock. 

The  evidence  of  the  probable  former  presence  of  this 
regal  woodpecker  in  Ohio  is  strong.  A  specimen  was  taken 


HYPOTHETICAL.  227 

in  Franklin  county,  Indiana,  which  borders  Ohio.  The 
map  in  the  Auk,  1891,  by  Hasbrouck,  illustrating  the  present 
and  former  range  of  this  bird  in  the  United  States,  is  made 
to  cover  the  extreme  southwest  corner  of  Ohio.  We  shall 
probably  never  have  positive  evidence  of  its  occurrence 
in  Ohio. 

13.  (466a.)     EMPIDOMAX  TRAILLII  ALNORUM     Brewst. 

Alder  Flycatcher. 
Jones,  Wilson  Bulletin,  No.  20,  1898,  37. 

This  subspecies  was  elaborated  after  Dr.  Wheaton's 
time.  While  it  has  not  been  reported  by  any  ornithologists 
in  the  state,  there  can  be  no  reasonable  doubt  that  it  mi- 
grates across  regularly.  No  doubt  a  critical  examination  of 
specimens  in  the  local  collections  throughout  the  state  will 
reveal  specimens  of  this  form  now  supposed  to  be  traillii. 

14.  (597.)     GUIRACA  CJERULEA.    (Linn.). 

Blue  Grosbeak. 

Reported  at  College  Hill,  Cincinnati,  June  12,  1899,  by 
Laura  Gano.  No  specimen  was  secured.  It  seems  likely 
that  it  may  ocasionally  reach  our  southwestern  border. 

15.  (601.)     CYANOSPIZA  cms    (Linn.). 

Painted   Bunting. 

Reported  from  Sandusky  by  Prof.  E.  L.  Moseley.  No 
specimen  was  secured.  This  record,  if  authentic,  would 
seem  to  be  a  case  of  escaped  cage-bird.  It  is  likely  that 
wanderers  may  sometimes  reach  the  vicinity  of  Cincinnati. 

16.  (675a.)     SEIURUS   NOVEBORACENSIS   NOTABILIS 

(Ridgw.). 

Grinnell  Water-Thrush. 
Synonyms:      Seiurus  nsevius  notabilis. 

Having  been  found  at  Brookville,  Indiana,  not  far  from 
our  western  border,  it  is  entirely  possible  that  it  may  be 
found  in  the  western  part  of  the  state. 


228  BIRDS  OF  OHIO. 

17.  (21.)    HELMINTHOPILA  LEUCOBRONCHIALIS  (Brewst.). 

Brewster  Warbler. 

Synonym:     Helminthophaga  leucobronchialis. 
Jones,  Wilson  Bulletin,  No.  42,  June  15,  1903,  68. 

On  May  23,  1902,  while  out  with  my  class  for 
early  morning  study,  we  discovered  a  singing  male 
of  this  interesting  form.  The  first  part  of  the  song 
was  clearly  Blue-wing  in  all  particulars,  while  the 
last  was  just  as  clearly  Golden-wing.  The  students 
noticed  the  oddity  of  the  song  without  having  their  atten- 
tion especially  called  to  it.  We  studied  the  bird  in  all 
lights  and  positions  for  half  an  hour,  many  times  within 
fifty  feet,  with  a  pair  of  stereo-binoculars,  clearly  making 
out  the  white  underparts,  faintly  tinted  with  yellow  on  the 
breast  and  a  slight  darkening  of  the  chin  feathers,  the  yel- 
low crown  and  great  yellow  wing  patch.  On  the  28th  we 
again  found  the  bird  in  the  same  situation,  on  the  border 
of  an  open  woods,  and  gave  it  even  more  attention  than  be- 
fore. It  was  in  full  sory^,  and  seemed  less  wary  than  be- 
fore. A  week  later  it  was  gone.  The  evidence  of  nesting 
seemed  so  strong  that  I  was  unwilling  to  collect^  the  bird, 
hoping  to  secure  a  breeding  record  and  be  able  to  study  the 
hybrid  family.  The  bird  was  probably  not  strictly  typical 
leucobronchialis,  but  came  near  to  it,  as  indicated  by  both 
song  and  plumage. 

During  the  spring  of  1903  two  almost  typical  specimens 
have  been  secured  and  at  least  one  other  seems  to  be  tarry- 
ing to  nest  in  a  woods  half  a  mile  west  of  Oberlin.  I  am 
hoping  to  add  some  direct  testimony  to  the  life  history  of 
this  interesting  variation. 

18.  (22.)     HELMINTHOPILA   CINCINNATIENSIS    (Langd.). 

31. 
Cincinnati  Warbler. 

Synonym..    Helmmthophaga  cincinnatiensis. 
Langdon,  Journal  Gin.  Soc.  Nat.  Hist,  III,  1880,  119. 

The  single  specimen  collected  by  Dr.  Langdon,  May  1, 
1880,  at  Madisonville,  from  which  his  description  was 


SUMMARY.  229 

made,  remains  unique.  In  the  absence  of  other  specimens 
the  theory  of  hybridism  seems  probable.  If  a  hybrid  it  was 
probably  between  H.  pinus  and  G.  formosa.  The  forma- 
tion of  hybrids  between  H.  pinus  and  some  closely  allied 
species  seems  not  uncommon. 

(371.)     NYCTALA  TENGMALMI  RICHARDSONI   (Bonap.). 
Richardson  Owl. 

Synonyms:      Nyctale    richardsoni. 

Tengmalm's    Owl,   Arctic   American    Saw-whet   Owl,   Ameri- 
can Sparrow  Owl. 
Coues,  Birds  of  N.  W.,  1874,  314. 

There  seems  to  be  no  question  but  this  reference  was  an 
error. 


SUMMARY. 

More  or  less  regularly  found  in  the  state 299 

Accidental   in  the  state 15 

Imported   from   Europe 2 

Extinct    4 

Hypothetical  on  the  A.  O.  U.  Check-List 2 

Whole  number  of  species  actually  recorded  in  the  state 322 

Hypothetical   ....    16 

Whole  number  of  species  treated  in  this  Catalogue 338 

Dr.  J.  M.  Wheaton's  Catalogue 298 


230  BIRDS  OF  OHIO. 


BIBLIOGRAPHY  OF  OHIO  ORNITHOLOGY 

This  bibliography  includes  that  given  by  Dr.  Wheaton, 
in  a  somewhat  abbreviated  form,  and  such  other  books,  cat- 
alogues and  periodicals  as  have  appeared  since  1882,  which 
contain  references  to  Ohio  birds.  It  makes  no  pretensions 
to  being  a  complete  bibliography,  but  serves  to  show  from 
what  sources  my  information  has  been  derived.  Some  ref- 
erences are  of  a  decidedly  general  nature,  others  specific. 

1808-14. 
Wilson,  Alexander.     American  Ornithology.     Vols.  MX. 

1825-33. 
Bonaparte,  C.   L.     American  Ornithology.     Vols  I-IV. 

1831-39. 
Audubon,  J.  J.     Ornithological  Biography.     Vols.  I-IV. 

1832-34. 

Nuttall,  T.  A  Manual  of  the  Ornithology  of  the  United  States 
and  of  Canada.  Vols.  MI. 

1838. 

Atwater,  Caleb.  A  History  of  the  State  of  Ohio,  Natural  and 
Civil. 

1838-74. 

Kirtland,  Jared  P.,  M.D.  Various  writings:  First  and  Second 
Annual  Reports  on  the  Geological  Survey  of  the  State  of  Ohio, 
1838;  articles  in  the  Am.  Jour.  Sci.  and  Arts,  1841,  1852;  articles 
in  Family  Visitor,  1850-52;  Ohio  Farmer,  1860;  Proc.  Cleveland 
Acad.  Nat.  Sci.,  1874. 

1840-44. 

Audubon,  J.  J.  The  Birds  of  America,  from  drawings  made 
in  the  United  States  and  their  Territories.  Seven  volumes. 

1845. 
Storer,  D.  H.     Proc.  Boston  Soc.  Nat.  Hist.  II. 

1852. 

Balrd,  S.  F.  Description  of  a  new  species  of  Sylvicola  (Den- 
droica  kirtlandi).  Ann.  Lye.  N.  Y.,  V,  217. 

1852-3. 

Read,  M.  C.  (Editor.)  Family  Visitor.  Catalogue  of  Birds 
of  Ohio. 


BIBLIOGRAPHY.  231 

1854. 

Zuchold.  Journal  fur  Ornithologie.  (Copy  of  description  of 
D.  kirtlandi.) 

1855. 
Cassin,  J.     Illustrations,  etc.   (of  D.  kirtlandi.) 

1858. 
Baird,  S.  F.     Birds,  Pacific  R.  R.  Report. 

1859. 

Brewer,  T.  M.'  North  Am.  Oology.  Smithsonian  Contribu- 
tions. 

Kirkpatrick,  John.  Articles  in  Ohio  Farmer  and  Ohio  Agri. 
Report. 

1861. 

Trembly,  J.  B.    Articles  in  Field  Notes. 

Wheaton,  J.  M.  Articles  in  Field  Notes.  Also  Catalogue  of 
Birds  of  Ohio  (Ohio  Agri.  Report  for  1860),  and  Reprint  of  same. 

Collins,  W.  O.  Fifteenth  Annual  Report  Ohio  State  Board  of 
Agri.  for  1860. 

Harris,  S.  D.  (Editor.)  Field  Notes,  I,  Introduction  of  Skylark 
at  Columbus. 

1864. 

Hough,  F.  B.  Executive  Document  No.  55,  House  of  Repre- 
sentatives, 36th  Congress,  1st  Session.  (Migration  dates.) 

Baird,  S.   F.     Smithsonian  Miscellaneous  Collections. 

1867. 

Brewer,  T.  M.  Article  in  the  American  Naturalist  on  habits 
of  birds. 

1868. 

March,   P.  G.     Kingfisher's  Nest  again.     Am.  Naturalist,  II. 
Garlick,  T.     Migrations  of  Birds.     Am.  Naturalist,  II. 

1869. 

Ingersoll,  Ernest.  Variation  of  Bluebird's  Eggs.  Am.  Natur- 
alist, III. 

1872. 

Coues,  Elliott.     Key  to  North  American  Birds. 
Cope,  E.  D.     Zoological  Sketch  of  Ohio.     Topographical  Atlas. 
Maynard,  C.  J.     A  Catalogue  of  the  Birds  of  Coos  county,  N. 
H.,  and  Oxford  county,  Me.     Proc.  Boston  Soc.  Nat.  Hist. 

1874. 

Ridgway,  Robert.  Birds  of  Illinois.  Ann.  Lye.  Nat,  Hist,  N. 
Y.,  X. 

Baird,  Brewer,  and  Ridgway.  A  History  of  North  American 
Birds.  Vols.  MIL 


232  BIRDS   OF  OHIO. 

Coues,  Elliott.  U.  S.  Geol.  Surv.  of  the  Territories.  Birds  of 
the  Northwest. 

Wheaton,  J.  M.     Notes  in  Birds  of  the  Northwest. 

1875. 

Wheaton,  J.  M.  The  Food  of  Birds  as  Related  to  Agriculture. 
O.  Agri.  Report  for  1874. 

1876. 

Jordon,  D.  S.    Manual  of  the  Vertebrates  of  the  Northern  U.  S. 
Henshaw,  H.  W.     On  two  Empidonaces,  traillii  and  acadicus. 
Bull.  Nut.  Orn.  Club,  I. 

1877-80. 

Langdon,  F.  W.,  M.  D.     Articles  in  the  Bull.  Nutt.  Orn.  Club, 
and  Journal  Cin.  Soc.  Nat.  Hist. 
Dury,  Charles.     Same  references. 
Wheaton,  J.  M.     Same  references. 

1877-8. 

Merriam  C.  Hart.  A  Review  of  the  Birds  of  Connecticut. 
Trans.  Conn.  Acad.  1877.  Remarks  on  some  of  the  Birds  of  Lew- 
is county,  Northern  New  York.  Bull.  Nutt.  Orn.  Club,  III. 

1878. 

Ridgway,  Robert.  Eastward  range  of  Chondestes  grarnmacus. 
Bull.  Nutt.  Orn.  Club,  III. 

Ballou,  W.  H.  The  Natural  History  of  the  Islands  of  Lake 
Erie.  Field  and  Forest,  III. 

Coues,  Elliott.  U.  S.  Geol.  Surv.  of  the  Territories.  Birds  of 
Colorado  Valley. 

1878-9. 

Brewster,  W.  Descriptions  of  the  First  Plumage  in  various 
species  of  North  American  Birds.  Bull.  Nutt.  Orn.  Club,  III-IV. 

1878-82. 

Jones,  G.  E.  and  Shultze,  E.  J.  Illustrations  of  the  Nests  and 
Eggs  of  the  Birds  of  Ohio  with  text.  Circleville,  Ohio. 

1879. 

Brewer,  T.  M.  The  Eggs  of  the  Redstart.  Bull.  Nutt.  Orn. 
Club,  IV. 

Marshall,  D.  M.  The  Butcher  Bird.  Journal  of  Science,  new 
series,  II. 

Purdie,  H.  A.  Another  Kirtland  Warbler.  Bull.  Nutt.  Orn. 
Club,  IV. 

1880. 

Chubb,  H.  E.  Spring  Field  Notes.  Forest  and  Stream,  XIV, 
307. 

Ingersoll,  Seym.     Articles  in  Forest  and  Stream. 


BIBLIOGRAPHY.  233 

Ridgway,    Robert.      Note    of    Helminthophaga    cincinnatiensis. 
Bull.  Nutt.  Orn.  Club,  V. 

1882. 

Wheaton,  J.  M.     Report  upon  the  Birds  of  Ohio.     Geol.  Surv. 
of  Ohio,  IV.     First  published  separately  in  1879. 

1884. 

Coues,  Elliott.    Key  to  North  American  Birds. 
Langille,  Rev.  J.  H.    Our  Birds  in  Their  Haunts. 
Chubb,  H.  E.     Birds  and  Electric  Lights.  Forest  and  Stream, 
XXII,  26. 

1887. 

American  Ornithologists,  Union  Check-List. 
Ridgway,  Robert.     Manual  of  North  American  Birds. 

1889. 

Davie,  Oliver.     Nests  and  Eggs  of  North  American  Birds. 
Ridgway,  Robert.     Birds  of  Illinois. 
Barrows,  Walter  B.     The  English  Sparrow. 
Dwight,  Jonathan  Jr.    The  Horned  Larks  of  North  America. 

1890. 
Warren,  B.  H.    Birds  of  Pennsylvania. 

1891. 
Keyser,  Leander  S.     Bird-dom. 

1892. 

Bendire,   Maj.  Charles   E.     Life  Histories   of  North   American 
Birds. 

Wilcox,  E.  V.    Ohio  Agri.  Ex.  Sta.,  Bulletin  43,  Food  of  Robins. 

1893. 

Fisher,  A.  K.,  M.  D.     Hawks  and  Owls  as  Related  to  the  Far- 
mer. 

Fisher,   A.    K.,   M.   D.     The  Hawks   and   Owls   of  the   United 
States. 

Cook,  A.  J.     Birds  of  Michigan. 

1895. 

Chapman,  Frank  M.    Handbook  of  the  Birds  of  Eastern  North 
America. 

Barrows,  W.  B.  and  Schwarz,  E.  A.    The  Common  Crow  of  the 
United  States. 

Beal,    F.   E.   L.     Preliminary  Report  on  the  Food   of  Wood- 
peckers. 

1896. 
Oberholser,  H.  C.    Birds  of  Wayne  county,  Ohio. 

1897. 
Butler,  A.  W.    Birds  of  Indiana. 


234  BIRDS  OF   OHIO. 

1898. 
Apgar,  A.  C.     Birds  of  the  United  States. 

1899. 
Chapman,  F.  M.     Bird-Life. 

1900-1903. 
Ridgway,  Robert.     Birds  of  North  and  Middle  America. 

The  following  list  of  periodicals  has  contained  so  many 
references  to  Ohio  birds  that  it  is  not  deemed  necessary  to 
assign  the  particular  references  to  the  several  years  and  au- 
thors. Some  of  these  periodicals  have  long  since  been  un- 
obtainable, some  have  ceased  to  be,  some  are  scarcely  out  of 
their  swaddling  clothes. 

American  Ornithology.     Published  at  Worcester,  Mass. 

Annual  Reports,  Ohio  State  Academy  Science,  Columbus,  Ohio. 

Auk,  The.     New  York  City. 

Bird-Lore.    Harrisville,  Pa. 

Birds  and  Nature.       Chicago,  111. 

Bulletin  Michigan  Ornithological  Club.     Detroit,  Mich. 

Iowa  Ornithologist.     Long  since  discontinued. 

Journal  Cincinnati  Society  of  Natural  History.  Cincinnati, 
Ohio. 

Journal  Columbus  Horticultural  Society. 

Museum,  The.     Discontinued. 

Forest  and  Stream,  New  York  City. 

Observer,  The.    Discontinued. 

Oologist,  The.    Albion,  N.  Y. 

Ornithologist  and  Oologist,  The.     Discontinued. 

Ornithologists'  and  Oologists'  Semi-Annual.  Continued  as 
Wilson  Bulletin. 

Osprey,  The.    Washington,  D.  C. 

Popular  Science  News. 

Science.    Lancaster,  Pa. 

Swill-Cross.     Discontinued. 

Taxidermist,  The.    Discontinued. 

Wilson  Bulletin,  The.     Oberlin,  Ohio. 

Wilson  Quarterly.  Continued  as  Wilson  Bulletin. 

Young  Oologist.    Continued  as  Oologist. 


INDEX 


Acanthis    linaria,    138. 
Accipiter  atricapillus,  91. 

cooperi,   90. 

velox,   89. 

Actitis  macularia,  77. 
Actodromas  bairdii,  70. 

fuscicollis,  69. 

maculata,  69. 

minutilla,  70. 
^Egialitis  meloda,   81. 

circumcincta,    82. 

semipalmata,    81. 

vocifera,  80. 

^Estrelata    hasitata,    214. 
Agelaius    phoniceus,    131. 

fortis,   132. 
Aix  sponsa,   41. 
Alauda  arvensis,  223. 
Ammodramus  henslowii,  144. 

nelsoni,    145. 

sandwichensis  savanna,  143. 

savannarum   passerinus,  144. 
Ampelis  cedrorum,  165. 

garrulus,   164. 
Anas  boschas,  37. 

obscura,   37. 

rubripes,    38. 

Anser  albifrons  gambeli,  49. 
Anthus  pensilvanicus,  194. 
Antrostomus  vociferus,   117. 
Aquila  chrysaetos,  95. 
Archibuteo      lagopus      sancti-jo- 

hannis,    94. 
Ardea  candidissima,  55. 

caerulea,  55. 

egretta,  54. 

herodias,    54. 

virescens,  56. 
Ardetta  exilis,  53. 

neoxena,    226. 
Arenaria   interpres,   82. 
Arquatella    maritima,    69. 
Asio  accipitrinus,  103. 

wilsonianus,  102. 
Astragalinus   tristis,   139. 
Avocet,  American,  64. 
Aythya  affinis,  43. 

americana,    41. 

collaris,   43. 


marila,  42. 

vallisneria,  42. 
Bseolophus  bicolor,  204. 
Baldpate,   38. 

Bartramia   longicauda,    76. 
Bittern,  American,  52. 

Cory  Least,  226. 

Least,  53. 
Blackbird,    Red-winged,    7,    132. 

Rusty,  134. 

Thick-billed,    132. 

Yellow-headed,  218. 
Bluebird,  15,  211. 
Bob-white,   83,   84. 
Bobolink,   14,   129. 
Bonasa  umbellus,  84. 
Botaurus  lentiginosus,  52. 
Brant,  226. 
Branta  bernicla,   226. 

cana-densis,   49. 

hutchinsii,    50. 
Bubo  virginianus,  107. 
Bufflhead,  45. 
Bunting,    Indigo,   156. 

Painted,  227. 
Buteo  borealis,   92. 

calurus,    217. 

lineatus,  93. 

platypterus,  93. 
Butorides   virescens,   56. 
Calcarius  lapponicus,  141. 
Calidris   arenaria,  72. 
Campephilus    principalis,    226. 
Canvas-back,    42. 
Cardinal,  14,  15,  154. 
Cardinalis    cardinalis,    154. 
Carduelis  carduelis,  223. 
Carpodacus   purpureus,   137. 
Catbird,   196. 
Catharistes  urubu,   87. 
Cathartes  aura,  87. 
Centurus  carolinus,  115. 
Ceophlreus   pileatus   abieticola, 

114. 
Certhia  familiaris   americana, 

201. 

Ceryle  alcyon,  111. 
Chsetura  pelagica,  118. 
Charadrius   dominicus,   79. 


2S6 


BIRDS   OF   OHIO. 


Charitonetta  albeola,  45. 
Chat,  Yellow-breasted,  191. 
Chaulelasmus  streperus,  38. 
Chen  cserulescens,  49. 

hyperborea,  48. 
nivalis,  48. 
Chewink,    154. 
Chickadee,  204. 

Carolina,   17,   205. 
Chondestes    grammacus,  145. 
Chordeiles  virginianus,  117. 
Circus  hudsonius,  88. 
Cistothorus   palustris,   201. 

stellaris,   200. 
Clangula  clangula  americana,  44. 

islandica,  44. 
Clivicola  riparia,   162. 
Coccothraustes  vespertinus,  136. 
Coccyzus   americanus,   109. 

erythrophthalmus,    110. 
Colaptes  auratus  luteus,  116. 
Colinus  virginianus,  83. 
Colymbus  auritus,  22. 

holbcellii,  23. 
Compsothlypis    americana   us- 

nese,  176. 
ramalinse,    177 
Contopus  borealis,  121. 

virens,  122. 

Conurus   carolinensis,   222. 
Coot,  American,  62. 
Cormorant,   Double-crested,    34. 

Florida,  225. 
Corvus    americanus,    128. 

corax   principalis,    127. 
Coturniculus   savannarum   pas- 

serinus,   144. 
Cowbird,  130. 
Crane,  Little  Brown,  216. 

Sandhill,  58. 

Whooping,   57. 
Creeper,  Brown,   201. 
Crossbill,   American,   137. 

White-winged,  138. 
Crow,  American,  128. 

Carrion,  127. 

Crymophilus   fulicarius,   226 
Cuckoo,  Black-billed,  110. 

Yellow-billed,   109. 
Curlew,  Eskimo,  78. 

Hudsonian,   78. 

Long-billed,  77. 
Cyanocitta    cristata,    126. 
Cyanospiza  ciris,  227. 

cyanea,  156. 
Dabchick,  24. 
Dafila  acuta,  40. 


Dendroica  agstiva,  178. 

blackburniae,   183. 

cserulescens,   178. 

castanea,  182. 

coronata,  179. 

discolor,  187. 

dominica    albilora,    184. 

kirtlandi,   185. 

maculosa,   180. 

palmarum,  186. 

hypochrysea,  219. 

pensylvanica,   181. 

rara,  180. 

striata,  182. 

tigrina,  177. 

vigorsii,  186. 

virens,  184. 

Dickcissel,  15,  17,  156. 
Dolichonyx,  oryzivorus,  129. 
Dowitcher,  67. 

Long-billed,   17,   67. 
Dove,  Mourning,  86. 
Dryobates   borealis,   217. 

pubescens  medianus    112. 

villosus,  111. 
Duck,  Black,  37. 

American  Eider,   46. 

Harlequin,  225. 

King  Eider,  46. 

Lesser  Scaup,  43. 

Red-legged  Black,  38. 

Ring-necked,  43. 

Ruddy,  47. 

Scaup,  42. 

Wood,   41. 
Eagle,  Bald,  96. 

Golden,  6,  95. 

Ectopistes    migratorius,    85. 
Egret,  American,  54. 
Egretta  candidissima,  55. 
Eider,  American,  17,  46. 

King,  46. 

Elanoides   forficatus,   88. 
Empidonax   flaviventris,   122. 

minimus,  124. 

traillii,   123. 

alnorum,  227. 

virescens,   123. 
Ereunetes  pusillus  71. 
Erismatura  jamaicensis,  47. 
Falco  columbarius,  98. 

peregrinus    anatum,   97. 

sparverius,  99. 
Finch,  Purple,  137. 
Flicker,  Northern,   116. 
Florida  caerulea,  55. 
Flycatcher,   Alder,   227. 


INDEX. 


237 


Crested,  120. 

Green-crested,  123. 

Least,   124. 

Olive-sided    Flycatcher,   121. 

Scissor-tailed,  218. 

Traill,  123. 

Yellow-bellied,   122. 
Fregata  aquila,  214. 
Fulica  americana,  62. 
Gadwall,  38. 

Galeoscoptes   carolinensis,   196. 
Gallinago  delicata,  66. 
Gallinula   galeata,    62. 
Gallinule,   Florida,   62. 

Purple,  61. 
Gavia  arctica,  25. 

imber,  25. 

lumme,  26. 

Gelochelidon  nilotica,   31. 
Geothlypis   agilis,   190. 

formosa,  189. 

Philadelphia,  190. 

trichas  brachydactyla,  191. 
Gnatcatcher,  Blue-gray,  6,  206. 
Godwit,  Hudsonian,  73. 

Marbled,  72. 
Golden-eye,  American,  44. 

Barrows,    17,    44. 
Goldfinch,    European,    223. 

American,   139. 

Goose,  American  White-fronted, 

49. 

Blue,  49. 

Canada,  49. 

Greater  Snow,  48. 

Hutchins,  50. 

Lesser  Snow,  48. 
Goshawk,  American,  91. 
Grackle,  Bronzed,  6,  131,  135. 
Grebe,   Holbcell,   23. 

Horned,    23,    24. 

Pied-billed,   24. 
Grosbeak,  Blue,  15,  227. 

Canadian   Pine,   136. 

Evening,  136. 

Rose-breasted,  155. 
Grouse,   Ruffed,    84. 
Grus  americana,  57. 

canadensis,  216. 

mexicana,    58. 
Guiraca   caerulea,    227. 
Gull,  Bonaparte,  30. 

Herring,  29. 

Iceland,  28. 

Glaucus,   225. 

Great  Black-backed,  28. 

Ring-billed,  29. 


Sabine,   30. 

Haliaeetus   leucocephalus,   96. 
Harelda  hyemalis,  45. 
Hawk,  American  Rough-legged, 

94. 

American  Sparrow,  99. 

Broad-winged,   93. 

Cooper,  90. 

Duck,  97. 

Marsh,  88. 

Pigeon,  98. 

Red-shouldered,   93. 

Red-tailed,  7,  92. 

Sharp-shinned,   89. 

Western  Red-tailed,   217. 
Helmitheros   vermivorus,   173. 
Helminthopila  celata,   175. 

cincinnatiensis,    228. 

chrysoptera,   174. 

leucobronchialis,,    228. 

peregrina,   176. 

pinus,   174. 

rubricapilla,   175. 
Helodromas    solitarius.   74. 
Hen,  Prairie,  221. 
Herodias  egretta,   54. 
Heron,  Black-crowned  Night,  56. 

Great  Blue,  54. 

Green,  56. 

Little  Blue,  17,  55. 

Snowy,  55. 

Hesperiphona  vespertina,  136. 
Himantopus   mexicanus,   65. 
Hirundo    erythrogaster,    161. 
Histrionicus  histrionicus,  225. 
Hummingbird,   Ruby- throated, 

119. 
Hydrochelidon  nigra  surinam- 

ensis,  33. 
Hylocichla  aliciae,  209. 

fuscescens,  208. 

guttata   pallasii,    210. 

mustelina,    207. 

swainsoni,  209. 
Ibis,  Glossy,  216. 

Wood,  51. 
Icteria  virens,  191. 
Icterus  galbula,  133. 

spurius,  133. 
lonornis  martinica,  61. 
Iridoprocne  bicolor,   162. 
Jaeger,  Long-tailed,  224. 

Parasitic,   17,   27. 

Pomarine,    26. 
Jay,  Blue,  126. 
Junco  hyemalis,  150. 
Junco,   Slate-colored,  150. 


23S 


BIRDS   OF   OHIO. 


Killdeer,  18,  80. 
Kingbird,    120. 
Kingfisher,  Belted,  111. 
Kinglet,   Golden-crowned,   205. 

Ruby-crowned,   206. 
Kite,   Swallow-tailed,   88. 
Kittiwake,  224. 
Knot,  68. 
Lanius   borealis,   166. 

ludovicianus,  167. 

excubitorides,    167. 
migrans,  167. 
Lark,  Horned,  124. 

Hoyt  Horned,  126. 

Prairie  Horned,  17,  125. 
Larus  argentatus,  29. 

delawarensis,  29. 

glaucus,  225. 

leucopterus,  28. 

marinus,  28. 

Philadelphia,  30. 

sabinii,   30.    • 
Limosa  fedoa,  72. 

haemastica,  73. 
Longspur,   Lapland,   141. 
Loon,  25. 

Black-throated,  25. 

Red-throated,   26. 
Lophodytes  cucullatus,   36. 
Loxia  curvirostra  minor,   137. 

lucoptera,  138. 
Macrorhamphus  griseus,  67. 

scolopaceus,   67. 
Mallard,  37. 
Man-o'-War  Bird,  214. 
Mareca  americana    38. 

penelope,  215. 
Martin,    Purple,    159. 
Meadowlark,  6,  18,  132. 
Megascops   asio,   106. 
Melanerpes  carolinus,  115. 

erythrocephalus,   114. 
Meleagris    gallopavo    sylvestris, 

85. 
Melospiza   cinerea   melodia,    151 

georgiana,  152. 

lincolni,  152. 
Merganser  americanus,  35. 

serrator,  35. 
Merganser,  American,  35. 

Hooded,  36. 

Red-breasted,    35. 
Merula  migratoria,  210. 
Micropalama   himantopus,   68. 
Mimus    polyglottos,    195. 
Mniotilta  varia,  172. 
Mockingbird,   195. 


Molothrus    ater,   130. 
Murre,  Briinnich,  213. 
Muscivora  forficata,  218. 
Myiarchus   crinitus,   120. 
Nettion  carolinensis,   39. 
Nighthawk,  117. 
Nonpareil,  15. 
Numenius  borealis,  78. 

hudsonicus,  78. 

longirostris,  77. 
Nuthatch,   Brown-headed,   219. 

Red-breasted,  203. 

White-breasted,   202. 
Nyctala   acadica,    105. 
Nyctea  nyctea,   108. 
Nycticorax   nycticorax   naevius, 

56. 
Oidemia  americana,  46. 

deglandi,  47. 

perspicillata,  226. 
Olbiorchilus  hiemalis,  200. 
Old-squaw,  45. 
Olor  buccinator,  51. 

columbianus,  51. 
Oriole,  Baltimore,  133. 

Orchard,  133. 
Osprey,  American,  100. 
Otocoris  alpestris,  124. 
hoyti,    126. 
praticola,    125. 
Oven-bird,  6,  187. 
Owl,  American  Hawk,  109. 

American  Long-eared,  102. 

Barn,  101. 

Barred,  104. 

Great  Gray,  7,  105. 

Great  Horned,  107. 

Saw-whet,   105. 

Screech,  106. 

Short-eared,  103. 

Snowy,    108. 
Oxyechus  vociferus,  80. 
Pandion  haliaetus  carolinensis, 

100. 

Paroquet,   Carolina,   222. 
Parus  atricapillus,  204. 

bicolor,  204. 

carolinensis,  205. 
Passer    domesticus,   220. 
Passerculus  sandwichensis  sa- 
vanna, 143. 
Passerella  iliaca,   153. 
Passerina  nivalis,  140. 
Pavoncella  pugnax,   217. 
Pelecanus   erythrorhynchos,   34. 
Pelican,  American  White,  34. 
Pelidna  alpina  pacifica,  71. 


INDEX. 


239 


Petrel,  Black-capped,  214. 
Petrochelidon    lunifrons,    160. 
Peucsea   sestivalis   bachmanii, 

150 

Pewee,  Wood,  6,  122. 
Phalacrocorax    dilophus,    34. 

floridanus,  225. 
Phalarope,  Northern,  63. 

Red,  226. 

Wilson,  64. 

Phalaropus  lobatus,  63. 
Phasianus    torquatus,  220. 
Pheasant,    Ring-necked,    220. 
Philohela    minor,,   65. 
Phoebe,  121. 
Picoides  arcticus,  113. 
Pigeon,  Passenger,  85. 
Pinicola  enucleator  leucura,  136. 
Pintail,  40. 

Pipilo    erythrophthalmus,    154. 
Pipit,  American,  194. 
Piranga   erythromelas,    157. 

rubra,  158. 

Plegadis  autumnalis,  216. 
Plover,  American  Golden,   79. 

Belted   Piping,  82. 

Black-bellied,   79. 

Piping,  81. 

Semipalmated,   81. 
Podilymbus     podiceps     24. 
Polioptila  caerulea,  206. 
Pocecetes    gramineus,    142. 
Porzana  Carolina,  59. 

jamaicensis,   61. 

noveboracensis,    60. 
Progne  subis,  159. 
Protonotaria  citrea,  172. 
Querquedula    cyanoptera,    215. 

discors,   39. 

Quiscalus  quiscula  Eeneus,  135. 
Rail,  Black,  17,  61. 

King,  59. 

Virginia,  59. 

Yellow,  60. 
Rallus  elegans,  59. 

virginianus,    59. 
Raven,   Northern,   127. 
Recurvirostra  americana,  64. 
Red-head,   41. 
Redpoll,  138. 
Red-tail,    western,    217. 
Red-wing,   132. 

Thick-billed,    132. 
Regulus    calendula,    206. 

satrapa,   205. 
Riparia  riparia,  162. 
Rissa  tridactyla,  224. 


Robin,  American,  6,  7,  15,  210. 
Ruff,  217. 
Sanderling,  72. 
Sandpiper,  Baird,  70. 

Bartramian,   76. 

Buff-breasted,    76. 

Least,  70. 

Pectoral,   69. 

Purple,  69. 

Red-backed,  71. 

Semipalmated,  71. 

Solitary,  74. 

Spotted,  77. 

Stilt,  68. 

White-rumped,   69. 
Sapsucker,  Yellow-bellied,  113. 
Sayornis  phcebe,  121. 
Scolecophagus    carolinus,    134. 
Scoter,   American,   46. 

Surf,   226. 

White-winged,   47. 
Scotiaptex  nebulosa,   105. 
Setophaga    ruticilla,   194. 
Seiurus  aurocapillus,  187. 

motacilla,   189. 

noveboracensis,    188. 

notabilis,   227. 
Shoveller,  40. 
Shrike,  Loggerhead,  167. 

Migrant,   167. 

Northern,  166. 

White-rumped,   167. 
Sialia  sialis,  212. 
Siskin,  Pine,  15,  140. 
Sitta  canadensis,  203. 

carolinensis,    202. 

pusilla,    219. 
Skylark,  223. 
Snipe,  Wilson,   15,   66. 
Snowflake,  140. 
Somateria  dresseri,   46. 

spectabilis,    46. 
Sora,  59. 
Sparrow,    Bachman,    17,    150. 

Chipping,    148. 

English,  6,  220. 

Field,    149. 

Fox,  153. 

Grasshopper,   17,   144. 

Harris,   219. 

Henslow,  17,  144. 

Lark,  15,  17,  145. 

Lincoln,   152. 

Nelson,   17,   145. 

Savanna,   143. 

Song,   151. 

Swamp,    152. 


240 


BIRDS  OF   OHIO. 


Tree,  148. 

Vesper,  6,  142. 

White-crowned,   146. 

White-throated,   147. 
Spatula  clypeata,  40. 
Sphyrapicus  varius,  113. 
Spinus  pinus,  140. 
Spiza  americana,  156. 
Spizella   monticola,   148. 

pusilla,  149. 

socialis,  148. 

Squatarola  squatarola,   79. 
Steganopus  tricolor,  64. 
Stelgidopteryx   serripennis,    163. 
Sercorarius   longicaudus,   224. 

parasiticus,  27. 

pomarinus,  26. 
Sterna  antillarum,  33. 

caspia,  31. 

dougalli,  32. 

fosteri,  31. 

hirundo,  32. 

maxima,  225. 

paradisaea,  225. 
Stilt,   Black-necked,   65. 
Strix  pratincola,  101. 
Sturnella  magna,   132. 
Surnia  ulula  caparoch,  109. 
Swallow,  Bank,  162. 

Barn,  161. 

Cliff,  160. 

Rough-winged,   163. 

Tree,  162. 
Swan,  Trumpeter,  51. 

Whistling,  51. 
Swift,  Chimney,  118. 
Symphemia   semipalmata,   75. 
Syrnium  varium,   104. 
Tachycineta  bicolor,  162. 
Tanager,  Scarlet,  157. 

Summer,   14,   15,  158. 
Tantalus   loculator,   51. 
Teal,  Blue-winged,  39. 

Cinnamon,  215. 

Green-winged,   39. 
Telmatodytes   palustris,   201. 
Tern,  Arctic,  225. 

Black,   14,   33. 

Caspian,  17,  31. 

Common,  14,  32. 

Forster,  31. 

Gull-billed,   31. 

Least,  33. 

Roseate,  32. 

Royal,  225. 

Thrasher,  Brown,  197. 
Thrush,   Gray-cheeked,   209. 


Hermit,  210. 

Olive-backed,   209. 

Wilson,  14,  208. 

Wood,  207. 

Thryomanes  bewickii,  198. 
Thryothorus   ludovicianus,   198. 
Titmouse,  Tufted,  204. 
Totanus  flavipes,  74. 

melanoleucus,   73. 
Towhee,  154. 
Toxostoma  rufum,  197. 
Tringa  alpina  pacifica,  71. 

bairdii,  70. 

canutus,  68. 

fuscicollis,  69. 

maculata,  69. 

maritima,   69. 

minutilla,  70. 
Trochilus  colubris,  119. 
Troglodytes   aedon,   199. 
Tryngites  subruficollis,  76. 
Turkey,  Wild,  85. 
Turnstone,  82. 

Tympanuchus  americanus,  221. 
Tyrannus  tyrannus,  120. 
Uria  lomvia,  213. 
Vireo  flavifrons,  170. 

gilvus,  169. 

noveboracensis,  171. 

olivaceus,   168. 

philadelphicus,    169. 

solitarius,   170. 
Vireo,   Blue-headed,   170. 

Philadelphia,   169. 

Red-eyed,   168. 

Warbling,  169. 

White-eyed,   14,  15,  17,  171. 

Yellow-throated,   170. 
Vulture,  Black,  87. 

Turkey,  15,  87. 
Warbler,  Bay-breasted,   182. 

Black  and  White,  172. 

Blackburnian,  183. 

Black-poll,  182. 

Black-throated    Blue,    178. 

Black-throated    Green,   184 

Blue-winged,  174. 

Brewster,  228. 

Canadian,  193. 

Cape  May,  177. 

Cerulean,   180. 

Chestnut-sided,   15,   181. 

Cincinnati,   228. 

Connecticut,   190. 

Golden-winged,    14,15,    17, 

174. 

Hooded,  14,  15,  17,  192. 


INDEX. 


241 


Kentucky,  14,  15,  17,  189. 

Kirtland,  185. 

Magnolia,  15,  180. 

Mourning,  190. 

Myrtle,  179. 

Nashville,   175. 

Northern  Parula,  176. 

Orange-crowned,   175. 

Palm,  186. 

Pine,  186. 

Prairie,  187. 

Prothonotary,  15,  17,  172. 

Sycamore,  184. 

Tennessee,  176. 

Western  Parula,  177. 

Wilson,  193. 

Worm-eating,  14,  15,  17,, 

173. 

Yellow,  178. 

Yellow  Palm,  219. 
Water-Thrush,  188. 

Grinnell,   227. 

Louisiana,  189. 
Waxwing,  Bohemian,  164. 

Cedar,  165. 
Whippoorwill,  117. 
Widgeon,  European,   215. 
Willett,  75. 
Wilsonia  canadensis,  193. 


mitrata,  192. 

pusilla,   193. 

Woodcock,  American,  65. 
Woodpecker,  Arctic  Three-toed, 

113 

Downy,  112. 

Hairy,  111. 

Ivory-billed,  226. 

Northern  Pileated,  114. 

Red-bellied,  115. 

Red-cockaded,  217. 

Red-headed,   114. 
Wren,  Bewick,  15,  17,  198. 

Carolina,  14,  15,  17,  198. 

House,  199. 

Long-billed  Marsh,  201. 

Short-billed   Marsh,   200. 

Winter,  200. 
Xanthocephalus    xanthocepha- 

lus,  218. 

Xema  sabinii,  30. 
Yelow-legs,  74. 

Greater,  73. 

Yellow-throat,  Northern,   191. 
Zamelodia  ludoviciana,  155. 
Zenaidura  macroura,  86. 
Zonotrichia  albicollis,  147. 

leucophrys,  146. 

querula,  219. 


• 


SPECIAL  PAPERS 

OF  THE 

OHIO  STATE  ACADEMY  OF  SCIENCE 


No.  1.     SANDUSKY  FLORA. 

By  E.  L.  MOSELEY,  A.M. 

2.    THE  ODONATA  OF  OHIO. 

By  DAVID  S.  KELLICOTT,  Ph.D. 

No.  3.     THE  PREGLACIAL  DRAINAGE  OF  OHIO. 

By  W.  G.  TIGHT,  M.S. 
J.  A.  BOWNOCKER,  M.D. 
].  H.  TODD,  M.D. 
GERARD  FOWKE, 

No.  4.     THE  FISHES  OF  OHIO. 

By  RAYMOND  C.  OSBURN,  M.Sc. 

No.  5.     THE  TABANID^E  OF  OHIO. 

By  JAMES  S,  HINE,  A.M. 

No.  6.     THE  BIRDS  OF  OHIO. 

By  LYNDS  JONES,  M.Sc. 

Address,  W.  C.  MILLS,  Librarian, 

Ohio  State  University,  Columbus,  Ohio. 


